Colombo, Nov 6 (newsin.asia) – At least five people were killed and over 44 injured when a public bus toppled in Puttalam, in Sri Lanka’s north western province on Monday, police said.
The bus had been travelling from capital Colombo to the northern town of Jaffna.
Police said the bus had toppled after it attempted to overtake a three wheeler.
The injured were rushed to nearby state hospitals by residents and police.
The accident had also caused a severe traffic block along the main Colombo, Puttalam road.
Police are conducting investigations.
The Sri Lankan government recently announced to increase fines for many traffic offences including reckless driving to Rs.25,000 (US 163) due to a rise in the number of road accidents.
The move however has been met with severe opposition from Bus and Three Wheel Associations.
Almost 100,000 people are critically wounded in road accidents each year in the island country, causing a heavy burden on the state-run hospitals.
Almost 100,000 people are critically wounded in road accidents each year in the island country, causing a heavy burden on the state-run hospitals.
Private surveys have shown that about half the 1.1 million three-wheel taxis are operated by drivers who do not have a licence.
(Pic courtesy Ada Derana)
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