Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that a National Action Plan has been prepared to reduce the increasing number of road accidents in Sri Lanka.
The Minister was speaking at a function by the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) on December 2 on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of Road Accident Victims.
“Motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of death in Sri Lanka, accounting for 42 per cent of motorcycle accidents, killing about eight people a day, and 30 per cent of other accidents involving lorries and tippers,” the Minister said.
The event was held at the Makumbura Multipurpose Transport Centre. This was followed by granting compensation to the dependents of those who died in unidentified road accidents and those who were seriously injured.
The Minister also instructed the NRSC to increase the compensation for those killed in unidentified road accidents from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 250,000 and for the seriously injured from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000.
Secretary to the Ministry Monty Ranatunga and NCRS Chairman Anton de Mens were present.
The Minister also launched a website on road safety.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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