The government has launched a Rs. 1.5 billion programme to secure unsafe and dangerous locations on roads outside the national highway system, with allocations of Rs. 60 million per district.
Memorandums of Understanding were signed yesterday (18) with local government institutions, enabling district‑level identification of hazardous road sites and implementation of safety measures. Chairpersons and mayors of local authorities participated in the signing.
The initiative follows a Cabinet memorandum presented on May 20, 2026, by Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, titled “Preparation of a suitable programme to make unsafe and dangerous places on roads not belonging to the national highway system safe.” Cabinet approval was granted on June 1, 2026.
Oversight of technical expertise and progress review has been assigned to the National Council on Road Safety, which will provide guidance to local authorities during implementation.
Speaking at the event, Minister Rathnayake said it was significant that such a national programme could be launched as the President completes two years in office. “The people built a government that protects the people. Therefore, the responsibility of protecting lives also lies with the government. Road safety cannot be solved only through discussions. A practical programme is needed,” he said.
He stressed that road accidents not only claim lives but also impose heavy economic and social costs. Road safety, he noted, must be treated as a national priority, not limited to traffic law enforcement.
The Minister added that unsafe physical conditions of roads must be addressed alongside awareness and legislation. “Identifying dangerous places and turning them into safe places is essential. That is the importance of this programme,” he said.
The MoUs will remain in effect until December 31, 2026, and are expected to help minimize accidents by swiftly securing unsafe road locations at regional level, thereby ensuring the safety of road users. (Newswire)
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