September 5, 2025

A shocking tragedy struck Sri Lanka when a passenger bus lost control and plunged into a deep cliff near Wellawaya on the night of September 4, 2025. This deadly accident claimed the lives of 15 people and left 16 injured, including five children. According to police spokesman Fredrick Wootler, the bus fell from a terrifying height of nearly 1,000 feet — about 280 kilometers east of Colombo, the capital city. The night turned grim as the bus, carrying nearly 30 passengers, was driven at high speed. "An initial police investigation revealed that the driver was driving the bus at high speed and lost control of it, crashing with another vehicle and into guardrails before toppling off the cliff," Wootler said. Local TV showed heartbreaking images of the crushed bus at the cliff's bottom while soldiers and rescue workers worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage and help survivors. Sadly, accidents like this are not rare in Sri Lanka’s mountainous areas. Reckless driving, narrow and poorly maintained roads make these routes a recipe for disaster. This accident once again casts a harsh spotlight on the urgent need for better road safety measures in Sri Lanka. As the nation mourns the dead and prays for the injured, questions rise on how to prevent such deadly crashes in the future.

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Tags: Sri lanka bus accident, Wellawaya, Road safety, Mountain crash, Fatal bus crash,