News
Police to nab errant drivers with CCTV data from 01 Feb.
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The initiative launched by the police to identify traffic offenders through CCTV cameras would come into full force from 01 February, Director – Traffic Administration and Road Safety division, DIG Indika Hapugoda said.
Hapugoda said that the system had been in operation as a pilot project from January 22 to 28 in Colombo. During the pilot phase, no legal action would be taken against the drivers nabbed with the help of CCTV, he added.
“Within the initial 36 hours, we have identified nearly 300 violators of traffic laws. Steps have been taken to inform vehicle owners of the evidence the police possess of their road rule violations. It’s important to note that legal action will not be instituted during this phase. Between January 28 and 31, we will conduct a thorough review of the project to identify weaknesses and determine improvement of strategies. Subsequently, action will be taken against road rule violators from 01 February,” DIG Hapugoda said.
He said that being a traffic policeman was among the most challenging occupations. At the conclusion of 2023, Sri Lanka had registered over 8.3 million motor vehicles of which 4.8 million were motorcycles. Additionally, there were approximately 1.2 million trishaws in the country. “Sri Lanka has an extensive road network spanning around 119,350 km. The country has 607 police stations with dedicated traffic divisions. Complementing these efforts is a robust patrol motorcycle unit comprising 297 high-performance bikes with a capacity of 600CC each. A total of around 9,600 traffic policemen contribute to road safety, with approximately 4,600 actively patrolling at any given moment. Thanks to the diligent efforts of these officers, the incidence of serious motor accidents decreased in 2023 compared to the previous year. The current project is aimed at streamlining and facilitating their demanding responsibilities,” he said.
DIG (Telecom Engineering), Thushara Gamlath said that the entire process was not automated.”Upon detecting a motorist violating a road rule, the procedure involves assigning a specific violation number and extracting the corresponding video footage. Subsequently, another officer is tasked with identifying the owner of the vehicle by utilising the number plate information. Access to the Department of Motor Traffic’s database facilitates obtaining ownership details. Once the necessary information about the particular vehicle owner is ascertained, notices are sent to both the police station where the traffic violation occurred and the nearest police station to the vehicle owner’s address. This entire process is completed within a day,” he said.
Upon discovering a traffic law violation, the vehicle owner is promptly notified. The owner has the option to pay the fine, and once the payment is made, the corresponding police station informs the CCTV division.
If the vehicle owners needed more information, three copies of the footage are obtained and forwarded to the relevant police, accompanied by an affidavit from the vehicle owner. Subsequently, legal action can be instituted under the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act (No. 14 of 1995), if necessary, he said.
Responding to criticisms, particularly from bus owners’ associations urging the police to establish a Bus Priority Lane (BPL) before implementing this system, DIG Hapugoda said despite most Sri Lankan roads having only two-lanes, there were a few designated BPL areas in the country.
Hapugoda said, “There is a functioning BPL from the Polduwa Junction to Lotus Tower, operational between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., as well as from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. However, problems have arisen, such as three-wheeler drivers expressing concerns about their ability to pick up or drop off passengers along the roadside during these periods. Despite these issues, the BPL has proven to be successful. But the entry of trishaws or motorcycles into the bus lane can disrupt the traffic flow.”
Approximately 500,000 vehicles enter the City of Colombo daily, according to DIG Hapugoda. Tragically, around seven individuals lost their lives each day in road accidents, he said.
The introduction of the Easy Cash system would allow individuals to promptly settle fines. Additionally, a de-merit system is in the pipeline for drivers, commencing with an initial allocation of 24 points at the beginning of the year. Points will be deducted for every violation, and if a driver exhausted all 24 points, he or she would face driving restrictions.
DIG Hapugoda highlighted that approximately 10 to 12 percent of vehicles on roads lacked proper documentation; they had open papers. That practice was unlawful, and the CCTV system aims to assist the police in identifying individuals operating vehicles with incomplete paperwork. According to Hapugoda, it is mandatory for a person selling a vehicle to notify the Department of Motor Traffic of the sale within 14 days.
He emphasised that “The new owner is also required to inform the department about the purchase of the vehicle.”
In situations where a vehicle owner has either rented out a vehicle or employed a driver, Hapugoda stressed the owner must be able to provide information about the driver in the event of a traffic law violation.
“Policemen will approach the owner, who is required to identify the person behind the wheel. Subsequently, law enforcement will proceed to locate the individual responsible for the violation,” said.
Interdicted Deputy Director at the National Hospital, Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Rukshan Bellana yesterday (29) alleged that the powers that be moved against him for seeking the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption) investigation into a massive fraud at the NHSL laboratory.
Dr. Bellana said so in response to The Island query regarding the circumstances the Health Ministry interdicted him on 18 December, through a letter, as directed by the Health Committee of the Public Service (PSC) Commission. “That letter has been signed by an Additional Secretary, as Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe was overseas,” Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana stated that the government had paid for reagents, contaminated or close to expiry dates, obtained from a leading local medical supplier, since 2022. He emphasised that his complaint to the CIABOC, and subsequent complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), were entirely based on the issues raised by the National Audit Office (NAO).
Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana said that the public funds, amounting to Rs. 900 mn, had been spent on chemical reagents past expiry dates. Regardless of the intervention made by the NAO, the NHSL continued to procure supplies from the same company, Dr. Bellana said, adding that he had received the unconditional support of the civil society. Among them were Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), President of Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh, and leader of Mage Rata Sanjaya Mahawatta.
Dr. Bellana said that he had complained about the scam to the CIABOC in June this year.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, who also lodged a complaint with CIABOC, regarding the same matter, is on record as having said in September this year that the reagents had been procured over a three-year period without the proper approval of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry. Dr. Sanjeewa has alleged that some of the reagents were either contaminated or close to expiry dates, while contracts had been given to a single company at unapproved prices.
Dr. Bellana said that had there been a proper system for CIABOC and law enforcement authorities to act on findings made by the NAO they wouldn’t have personally intervened in the NHSL laboratory matter. “Parliament should look into this. Did Parliament take up the NHSL laboratory matter at the relevant watchdog committee or at the Sectoral Oversight Committee that handled health?” Dr. Bellana asked.
Asked whether the letter that informed him of his interdiction gave any specific reason for the action taken, Dr. Bellana said the Ministry had found fault with him for speaking to the media. The irate ex-official said that he never hesitated to take a stand against injustice. “When former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was accused of corruption, pertaining to medical procurement, I condemned the Minister. Lambasted those responsible for wrongdoings.”
Dr. Bellana said that the NAO had dealt with mega crime involving the public and private sector. “That is the undeniable truth. Parliament should look into this as public money is its responsibility. Having vowed to stamp out corruption, the NPP was allowing and encouraging those who had been making money at the expense of the sick, Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana said that as many as 10,000 tests were conducted daily at the NHSL. The racketeers had been active during Aragalaya as the NHSL and the private supplier reached agreement in 2022 and the process continued even after the last presidential election, conducted in September 2024.
Dr. Bellana said that the long delay in finalising the Auditor General’s appointment exposed the government. If those holding high political office were genuinely interested in fighting corruption, they wouldn’t have allowed that Office of AG stay vacant even for a day.
Dr. Bellana noted the tough statements issued by the Bar Association, Transparency International Sri Lanka and the Committee on Public Finance demanding the immediate appointment of AG.
Health Ministry officials were not available for comment.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
BIA unions, including those affiliated to political parties, are demanding bonuses equal to five months’ basic salaries.
A group of workers yesterday (29) protested outside BIA urging the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd to increase their bonuses. They claimed that the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd., Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Harsha Abeywickrama, had assured them that they would be paid bonuses worth five times their basic salaries.
The SriLankan Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) of the airport, the Podujana Sewaka Sangamaya, the Pragathishili Sewaka Sangamaya, the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, and the SLNSS of SriLankan Airlines joined the protest.
The Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has issued an urgent safety warning to residents living along the banks of the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River, as water levels in the Kotmale Reservoir are reaching maximum capacity.
According to a special weather advisory issued by the Department of Meteorology on December 26, 2025, heavy rainfall is expected in the catchment areas over the coming days.
In response, the Mahaweli Authority released a statement on December 27, warning that spill gates may have to be opened to manage the water flow.
Eng. A.M.A.K. Seneviratne, Resident Engineer and Deputy Director of the Kotmale Reservoir, stated that the opening of spill gates would lead to a significant rise in the water levels of both the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River.
Areas on Alert
Residents in the following Divisional Secretariat divisions are urged to remain extra vigilant:
• Nuwara Eliya District: Kotmale West and Kotmale East.
• Kandy District: Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Doluwa, Pasbage Korale, and Ganga Ihala Korale.
Authorities have advised the public in these low-lying and river-adjacent areas to monitor the situation closely and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the protection of their property.
By S.K. Samaranayake
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