Sri Lanka mandates seatbelts for all expressway passengers

Sri Lanka has mandated that all passengers in vehicles traveling on expressways must wear seatbelts, effective from midnight on the 18th. Transport, Highways, and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ranawaka officially announced the decision, noting that a one-year grace period for older vehicles to install seatbelts has concluded.

Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala stated that enforcement of the law will begin strictly on the 19th. Vehicles without functional seatbelts will be prohibited from entering expressways. The measure is intended to reduce road accidents and fatalities, with officials emphasizing that the goal is passenger safety rather than merely issuing fines.