Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) has condemned the arrests of the car drivers over the recent Fox Hill motorsport racing event accident, in which seven people were killed.

Seven individuals were killed and 23 others were injured after a car hurtled into spectators at the ‘Fox Hill Super Cross 2024’ event held in Diyathalawa on Sunday.

The drivers of two cars involved in accidents at the race were arrested and remanded over the incident.

Speaking to reporters, Sajaad Zuhair of SLARDAR said it has become an issue as the Police have deemed it a problem of the car drivers.

However, the preparations of the racetrack and crowd control are the responsibilities of the organizers, and as competitors, the racers cannot do anything about it, he explained.

Commenting on the incident, Zuhair said the drivers have been blamed for not slowing down upon seeing the yellow flag, adding “ Racers cannot immediately slow down once they see the flag. They can only slow down a few distances after seeing the flag”.

“Once a car had toppled the organizers should have resorted to showing the red flag if they were unable to immediately remove the vehicle off the track. The car toppled inside the track and not outside. The accident is a result of the public moving onto the tracks and not because of a car going off track,” he added.

Stating that it was unfair for the racers to be arrested over the incident, Sajaad Zuhair further said that the organizers must take responsibility for the accident and not pass the blame onto other persons. 

(newswire.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ebrahim Raisi & his delegation arrived at the Mattala Airport a short while ago (April 24).

The Iranian President was warmly welcomed by PM Dinesh Gunawardane upon his arrival.

During his one-day official visit, President Raisi will inaugurate the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (23) has said he cannot join a debate with the National People’s Power (NPP) leader – Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the dates proposed by the NPP due to prior commitments.

Speaking at a public event in Weeraketiya, Mr. Premadasa has expressed his readiness not only for a debate between the two party leaders, but also for one between the economic committees of the two parties.

Previously, in a letter dated 22nd April, the NPP had said it was prepared for a debate between the two party leaders on either 07, 09, 13, or 14 May.

Replying, the SJB has said it had initially proposed a public debate between the Economic Councils of the two parties, to which the NPP has not responded in its latest letter.

Urging the NPP to confirm whether or not the debate between the Economic Councils of the two parties will take place, the SJB has further invited the NPP for a discussion on either on April 25th or 26th to finalise the dates for both public debates.