News

Bell 412 helicopter on standby for KDU bus accident patients

Published

6 months ago

November 2, 2024

editor

The Defence Secretary has directed the Sri Lanka Air Force to keep a Bell 412 helicopter ready at the Diyatalawa Air Force Base for the potential airlift of patients injured in the recent bus accident to Colombo for further treatment if needed.

The accident, which occurred at Ambagas Junction on the Dunhinda-Badulla road around 7:45 AM on November 1, involved a bus carrying 42 people from the Kotelawala Defence University’s (KDU) Southern Campus. Among the group were 36 students from the 39th KDU Intake, three lecturers, an instructor, a senior military officer, and the bus driver.

Two female students, residents of Kurunegala and Nivithigala, tragically lost their lives.

The remaining 40 were admitted to the Badulla General Hospital, with seven in the ICU and one in critical condition.

KDU’s Vice-Chancellor confirmed that arrangements for the funerals will be made with university support.

Preliminary findings suggest a mechanical fault may have caused the accident, with a detailed investigation underway.

The Ministry of Defence has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and commended the prompt rescue efforts of local residents, as well as the swift response by Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa and the hospital staff.

———————————–

(Previous News : November 01, 2024 11.28 am)

2 dead in Badulla bus tragedy

Two persons have been reported dead after a bus carrying a group of university students had toppled across the road at Dunhinda Road in Badulla this morning (Nov. 01).

The accident had occurred between the third and fourth kilometer posts on the Badulla-Mahiyanganaya main road, near the Dunhinda access road, after the bus collided with a bund.

According to reports, the bus was carrying a group of students from the Southern Campus of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), who had been on a field trip.

Over 30 persons injured had been rushed to the Badulla Hospital, reports say.

(Pic : Accident 1st)

News

Long-distance buses to undergo special inspections

Published

16 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has instructed all Officers-in-Charge (OIC) and senior police officers to conduct special inspections on long-distance passenger buses.

The Police Media Division stated that the directive comes in response to the increasing number of road accidents involving long-distance buses.

These inspections will mainly be conducted at night, focusing on drunk driving, drug use, and reckless driving.

The Acting IGP has issued firm instructions for special police teams to be deployed at strategic locations across various police divisions to monitor and inspect buses and other vehicles operating during night hours.

Additionally, he has directed officers attached to Police Motorcycle Patrol Units to identify and take legal action against buses driven recklessly.

News

Govt. to maintain 6-month safety stock of medicines

Published

17 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Sri Lankan government has decided to maintain a safety stock of medicines to mitigate the ongoing shortages in the country.

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijayamuni stated that this move is in response to recurring issues such as tender cancellations and the rejection of medicine consignments following quality inspections.

These problems have been key contributors to medicine shortages in recent months.

According to Dr. Wijayamuni, the planned emergency stockpile will be sufficient to meet the country’s needs for a period of six months.

To ensure a stable supply, the government intends to directly import medicines through agreements with the governments of countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the United States.

Dr. Wijayamuni further explained that by maintaining such a buffer stock, the additional expenses currently incurred by purchasing medicines from the open market can also be reduced significantly.

He added that a Cabinet paper will be submitted shortly to formalise and implement this initiative.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Another bus accident

Published

51 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

A luxury passenger transport bus veered off the road in the early hours of this morning (May 14) in the Wewatta area along the Ampara–Mahiyanganaya main road.

The accident occurred around 2.30 am, according to reports.

Although the bus had sustained considerable damage in the crash, no passengers were seriously injured, according to the Mahiyanganaya Police.

A tragic bus accident in Gerandi Ella, Kotmale took place over the last weekend, killing 23 and injuring scores while another bus accident was reported in Aladeniya yesterday.