Seat Belts Mandatory for All Expressway Passengers From Midnight

Wearing seat belts will be compulsory for all passengers travelling in vehicles on Sri Lanka’s expressways from midnight today (18), Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced.

Police have confirmed that the law will be strictly enforced from midnight, following the conclusion of an approximately one-year grace period granted to vehicle owners and passengers to comply with the requirement.

Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manoj Ranagala, said legal action would be taken against drivers and passengers travelling on expressways without wearing seat belts after the deadline.

He also stated that vehicles not equipped with seat belts will not be permitted to enter expressways from midnight.

Police emphasized that the requirement applies to both front- and rear-seat passengers travelling in vehicles on expressways.

SSP Ranagala said the strict enforcement was aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities resulting from road accidents, noting that the purpose of the law was to protect the lives of motorists and passengers rather than simply impose fines or initiate legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Council for Road Safety Manjula Kularatne said the mandatory seat belt requirement had been introduced approximately one year ago, but several extensions had been granted because some older vehicles had not originally been fitted with seat belts by their manufacturers.

He said vehicle owners had been given sufficient time to install the required safety equipment, with the final grace period ending today (18).

Kularatne confirmed that there would be no further extension and that Police had been instructed to enforce the relevant regulations from midnight.

Accordingly, all drivers and passengers travelling on Sri Lanka’s expressways will be required to wear seat belts from midnight tonight.