Police will begin strict enforcement of seatbelt requirements for all expressway passengers starting September 19, with fines of Rs. 1,000 for non-compliance.
Sri Lankan authorities have announced a crackdown on seatbelt compliance across expressways, with enforcement beginning September 19. The Director of Traffic Management and Road Safety, Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, outlined the initiative during a public awareness campaign, emphasizing that the regulation applies to all vehicle occupants, including those on expressway buses.
Under the enforcement scheme, passengers found travelling without seatbelts face a fine of Rs. 1,000. Legal provisions to impose these penalties are already established, according to SSP Ranagala, who stressed the importance of public understanding regarding seatbelt safety. The measure has been introduced in response to a documented rise in fatalities involving unbelted passengers during road accidents on expressways.
The implementation date of September 19 marks the end of a grace period for vehicle owners to install seatbelts where needed. This deadline aligns with Extraordinary Gazette No. 2455/29, which was issued on September 25, 2025, establishing the mandatory requirement. Manjula Kularatna, Chairman of the National Council for Road Safety, confirmed that the installation grace period will simultaneously conclude on the same date.
