Four Sri Lankans Die Every Three Hours Due to Accidents

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is witnessing a troubling frequency of accidental deaths, with four individuals reportedly dying every three hours due to various preventable causes, according to Dr. Samitha Sirithunga, a public health specialist from the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Diseases Unit.

Dr. Sirithunga highlighted drowning, poisoning, animal attacks, road traffic accidents, and domestic mishaps as the leading contributors to these fatalities.

Among them, road accidents account for approximately 25% to 27% of the total deaths.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Indika Hapugoda, revealed that in 2023, 2,341 people died in 2,320 fatal road accidents.

The toll rose in 2024, with 2,521 deaths from 2,403 fatal crashes.

In the first half of 2025 alone, 1,332 individuals have died in 1,256 fatal road accidents.

Of particular concern is the role of public transport in these incidents.

In the first six months of 2025, 60 deaths were linked to private bus accidents, while 30 fatalities were attributed to state-run SLTB buses.

Police data also shows a staggering number of drunk drivers — nearly 80,000 were apprehended within the first four months of this year.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has set a global target to reduce accident-related deaths by 50% by the year 2030, underscoring the urgency for Sri Lanka to strengthen its safety and prevention measures.