-Minister Bimal Rathnayake
The government is sensitively and responsibly intervening regarding those who died and were injured in the Garadi Ella bus accident
A Sri Lanka Transport Board bus traveling from Kataragama to Kurunegala plunged into a precipice in the Garadi Ella area of Kothmale recently resulting in the tragic loss of over twenty-two lives. The injured passengers were admitted to hospitals in Nuwara Eliya, Gampola, Kothmale and Nawalapitiya for treatment
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, along with the Prime Minister and Deputy Minister Prasanna Kumara Gunaseena, visited the accident site that evening to assess the situation and inquire about the health facilities provided to the injured passengers. They engaged in close conversations with the victims and instructed relevant authorities to ensure all necessary facilities and care were provided continuously.
“We need to strongly implement the plans regarding road safety”
The Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, the Deputy Minister of Health, and the Speaker, among other officials, also arrived at the accident site early in the morning. They continued to be actively involved in addressing the needs of the deceased and injured, as well as ensuring the provision of necessary healthcare facilities.
Furthermore, it has been decided that the President’s Fund will provide one million rupees per deceased person. Minister Bimal Rathnayake also stated that he will intervene to ensure that the insurance company, which insured the bus, promptly provides the due insurance compensation to all the deceased and injured passengers.
In the recent past, the Ministry and society had engaged in serious discussions regarding road safety and traffic laws. However, the implementation of these measures faced certain challenges and obstacles. The Minister stated that this tragedy will strongly re-emphasize the importance of those discussions.
He further emphasized that this tragedy, along with other recent road accidents, has highlighted the critical importance of implementing existing laws related to road safety, passenger safety, and traffic discipline. Therefore, Minister Bimal Rathnayake affirmed that they will proceed with implementing these laws, regardless of any obstacles.
