Accident spree by reckless motorists

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Several motor vehicle accidents were reported during the past few days on the high ways had resulted in the deaths of several persons. Passengers travelling in vehicles and pedestrians on roads were the victims of reckless motorists and motor cyclists, according to the Police Media Spokesman Senior Supdt.of Police (SSP) I.M Karunaratna.

A lorry driven in a reckless manner on the Colombo-Avissawella road near the 46th mile post in the Kosgama police area knocked down a pedestrian last Thursday. The victim succumbed to his injuries after admission to the Avissawella hospital. The deceased was identified as Arun Roshan Perera of Tewatte road Ragama.

The driver of the lorry was taken into custody by the Kosgama police.Meanwhile another road accident occurred opposite the Yanwatte petrol filling station when a police cab collided with a lorry on the Naramwela Kurunegala road last Thursday. Ten army personnel travelling in the cab sustained injuries and were admitted to the Kurunegala hospital. The cab and the lorry drivers also sustained injuries and was admitted to the Kurunegala hospital.

On the same day a 65-year-old male pedestrian crossing the road was knocked down and killed on the spot by a bowser driven at an excessive speed at Welimaduluwa in the Ratnapura police area. The victim was identified as K.W. Kalyanaratne of Ratnapura.

The bowser driver was taken into custody by the Ratnapura police. Another fatal accident occurred last Friday when a motor cycle collided with a hand tractor at Ridiyagama in the Ambalantota police area. The motor cyclist succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Hambantota hospital. The victim was identified as Gamage Rohana Buddika (18).