SRI LANKA (MAY 11) – At least 21 people were killed and dozens injured early Saturday when a state-run passenger bus plunged nearly 100 feet into a precipice in central Sri Lanka, police and local officials said.
The accident occurred around 4:30 a.m. in the Garandiella area of Ramboda, along the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road, as the bus was travelling from the southern town of Kataragama to Kurunegala. Police said around 75 passengers were onboard at the time of the crash, according to local news outlet.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with emergency services and local residents working to recover bodies trapped under the wreckage. The deceased include the driver of the bus, identified as W. Kalum Chandana, 38. Authorities said some bodies remain pinned beneath the vehicle, and efforts are ongoing to retrieve them.
More than 35 injured passengers were transported to multiple hospitals, including the Kothmale District Hospital, Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital, Gampola Hospital, and Nawalapitiya Base Hospital. Several victims are reported to be in critical condition.
According to police, a suspected mechanical failure may have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Investigations are being conducted by the Kothmale Police.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena, and Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramanayake visited the crash site later in the day. Speaking to reporters, Gunasena expressed condolences on behalf of the government to the families of the deceased and pledged to take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
One injured survivor receiving treatment at the Kothmale Hospital told local media that the bus appeared to swerve suddenly before plunging into a tea estate. “There were close to 100 people on board. I managed to crawl out and help others escape,” the survivor said.
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Farid Ahmed Naik is Executive Editor for The Chenab Times and first Sarazi language news reporter. He also covers Crime and Politics on CT. Read More…
