The investigation report by the Department of Motor Transport has concluded that both the Kataragama Depot and the Road Development Authority (RDA) should be held accountable for the tragic bus accident that occurred in Garandiyalle, Kotmale. The accident, which took place in the early hours of the 11th, claimed the lives of 23 passengers and left 60 others injured.
While the report confirms that the primary cause of the accident was the driver’s drowsiness and momentary loss of control due to fatigue, it emphasizes that the driver alone is not solely responsible for the incident.
The findings come from a six-member investigation committee comprising motor vehicle inspectors appointed by the Department of Motor Transport. The committee officially submitted its report to the Ministry of Transport on the 27th.
One of the key findings in the report highlights that irregular and substandard repair work carried out on the bus significantly contributed to the extent of the damage. The bus, which was repaired by the Kataragama Depot in 2023, reportedly did not utilize experienced technicians during the repair process. Additionally, new metal sheets were not used when replacing the body panels or repairing the vehicle’s frame.
The report further notes that many of the structural pillars of the bus frame had decayed severely—some nearly down to the floor level—resulting in a considerable reduction in the overall structural integrity and safety of the bus.
The investigation also points to another contributing factor: environmental changes at the accident site. The committee revealed that, after 2022, permission was granted by the Road Development Authority to establish two wooden shops on either side of the accident location. The shop owners had reportedly removed and leveled trees and soil in the area to make their businesses more accessible to visitors. The report identifies these alterations as another factor that may have caused the bus to overturn.
The investigation committee has recommended that all these issues—both mechanical and environmental—be subject to further inquiry to determine the full scope of accountability.
