Road accidents due to stray cattle have increased along the coastal belt of the Ampara District.
Stray cattle in Addalaichenai and Akkaraipattu areas are a threat to pedestrians and motorists, and the issue has caused many accidents. Many appeals to the authorities regarding the subject are yet to be answered, and drivers and pedestrians are critical of the authorities due to this ongoing issue.
“Cattle owners are not worried about the road accidents that are taking lives. They are not mindful about their cattle; about tethering and maintaining them at the proper places, without allowing them loiter in public places,” residents said.
As a result, the numbers of accidents occurring on roads are many due to the stray cattle nuisance, they added.
According to residents, it is the duty of the Road Development Authority (RDA), while others say that it is the function of the Local Government bodies to control the stray cattle issue.