Sri Lanka Launches Road Safety Action Plan as Death Rate Surpasses UN Threshold

by Zulfick Farzan 04-11-2025 | 5:13 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is facing a critical and persistent challenge with road safety, as the country’s annual road accident death rate has reached 11.2 per 10,000 persons, surpassing the United Nations-approved threshold for the Second Global Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030).

According to data from the Department of Police, a staggering 118,697 road accidents were reported between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 12,322 fatalities.

Additionally, around 400 accidents have been attributed to unprotected railway crossings, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and safety reforms.

In response to these alarming figures, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal presented by the Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to implement the Road Protection Action Plan – 2025–2026.

The plan aims to:

Improve the quality and safety of road infrastructure.

Ensure secure and regulated use of vehicles.

Minimize fatalities and damage.

Create a safe and equitable road environment for all users.

The initiative is expected to align Sri Lanka’s road safety standards with global benchmarks and reinforce the country’s commitment to reducing preventable deaths through strategic planning, enforcement, and public awareness.