• Says that 12,140 deaths occurred between 2020-2024 period

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) stated that deaths caused by road accidents in Sri Lanka have seen a rise in the last decade.

They point out that reducing such deaths is a challenging task that requires a multifaceted approach involving discipline, emergency response, and government-led regulatory mechanisms.

SLMA President Dr. Surantha Perera made these remarks during a media briefing held on Saturday (29), where the threats and challenges pertaining to road accidents were discussed. He pointed out that the proper management and regulation of vehicles and vehicle operators are necessary to reduce road accidents.

According to him, between 2020 and 2024, 12,140 deaths caused by road accidents have been reported, while 2,243 deaths have been reported in 2024 alone. “All these deaths could have been prevented,” Dr. Perera emphasised, adding that pedestrians’ behavior, good road conditions, discipline on the part of vehicle operators, more methodical responses from relevant health services to accidents, and more efficient enforcement of traffic law by the Police are crucial to preventing road accidents.

During the discussion, he further explained that a policy document on preventing road accidents, drafted by over 30 entities, was submitted to the former Government. He added that the second and third steps in this regard should be appointing a Presidential Task Force and a Commission vested with all the necessary powers, respectively.

“Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product is about United States dollars ($) 83 billion. Approximately 3.7% of that amount is directly and indirectly spent on road accident-related matters,” Dr. Perera added.