30 accident-related deaths reported daily: Health Ministry

Around 30 people die daily in Sri Lanka due to various accidents, the Ministry of Health has revealed highlighting what officials describe as a largely preventable public health burden.Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Consultant Community Physician Dr. Samitha Sirithunga said the country records an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 accident-related deaths annually.He noted that, on average, four people die every three hours as a result of accidents, with daily fatalities reaching approximately 30.Dr. Sirithunga said road accidents account for a significant proportion of these deaths, but stressed that other causes—including falls, drowning, electrocution, and snake bites—are frequently underreported or overlooked in public discourse.He described the situation as a “tragedy,” emphasizing that many of these fatalities could be prevented through improved awareness and safety measures.