By Siri Gamage –
Dr. Siri Gamage
Recent bus accident somewhere between Nuwara Eliya and Gampola yet again highlight the importance of scrutinising the reasons for such horrific accidents on Sri Lanka’s roads. Not long ago there was a similar accident with an overturned bus in the hill country. I am sure there are many more examples of such accidents from other parts of the island as well.
During my recent visit to the Island, I witnessed that the private buses do not have any limits placed on the number of passengers that they carry. I witnessed this in buses operating between Kandy and Panideniya as well as those travelling from Kandy to outlying villages and towns. This is especially the case when it comes to the last bus going from Kandy to outlying villages and towns. I could even observe the manner some passengers just hang in at the door not to miss the last bus after work.
After the results of Local government bodies were announced many were questioning why the NPP vote declined compared to previous elections. One reason being given in various media discussions is the fact that voters could not see any physical examples of improvements. This is the case with public transport. Some families travel on a single motor bike dropping kids at school and parents going to work. Such practices pose significant risks to their lives.
Sri Lankans have learned how to cope with limited space on the roads and many vehicles of all sorts by devising eye contact as the primary method of coping. Road rules don’t apply here. Principle is who comes first and who can get away first? Majority of people travel daily by using buses -both private and state owned. Therefore, packing buses with large number of passengers, many standing and holding onto the seats or other devices to survive the trip is a risky practice.
Government needs to impose limits on the number of passengers to be carried in buses on our roads. it is a simple rule change perhaps but that can save lives. It is a change that the government can implement before any other structural changes and improvements in infrastructure to make Sri Lanka a beautiful place to live.
davidthegood / May 15, 2025
Dr. Siri Gamage, Most important thing is to see whether the drivers are good in their job, whether the bus is loaded with passengers or even empty. Many buses in Colombo are loaded during office opening times but seem to survive.
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old codger / May 15, 2025
“Government needs to impose limits on the number of passengers to be carried in buses on our roads.”
There are many things that commuters want. For example, there are many who complain about “lorry-buses” and want comfortable low-floor buses as in other countries. But all these people want this at the same fares. Private operators are in it for the money, and fares depend on the maintenance costs, fuel, and how many passengers can be carried. The state can theoretically provide a non-profit service, but that creates a huge drain on resources which we don’t have.
We are most definitely in the Third World, and that’s not changing anytime soon.
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LankaScot / May 15, 2025
Hello DTG,
I agree with you about the Drivers. I know a couple of Bus Drivers here in our Village. They explained to me that Certain Companies enforce crazy Schedules on their Drivers leading to them taking Risks – Overtaking on Bends, driving too Fast and Pressuring Traffic (by using the Horn and getting too Close) in front of them to go faster or make way for them.
Of course Overloading can contribute to how safe a Bus can take Bends etc. As can the Condition of the Tires and Suspension, The Condition of Sri Lanka Roads in Central Province is abysmal. I have driven many times to Veyangoda, Hatton, Nuwara Eliya and most places around Gampola and Kandy. Back in early 2015 I was told that the Colombo-Kandy Highway would be finished fairly soon. 10 years later, still not finished.
Best regards
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