21 Dead, 35 Injured as Passenger Bus Plunges Off Cliff in Central Sri Lanka (video)

A tragic bus accident in Sri Lanka’s central hill country claimed the lives of 21 people and left at least 35 others injured after a passenger bus veered off a cliff near the town of Kotmale early Sunday morning. The incident occurred in a mountainous region approximately 140 kilometers east of the capital, Colombo.

Authorities confirmed that the accident involved a state-operated passenger bus carrying nearly 50 passengers when it skidded off a narrow mountain road and plunged down a steep precipice. The bus was later found overturned at the base of the cliff, with emergency responders and local residents working together to extract victims from the wreckage.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena confirmed the death toll and stated that the injured were receiving treatment in nearby hospitals. Among those hospitalized was the bus driver, who sustained injuries during the crash.

Television footage from the scene showed the devastating aftermath, with the mangled bus surrounded by debris and rescue workers navigating the difficult terrain to assist survivors.

Bus accidents are unfortunately common in Sri Lanka’s hilly regions, where dangerous road conditions, reckless driving, and inadequate vehicle maintenance often contribute to deadly outcomes. The narrow and winding roads in the central provinces pose significant hazards, particularly for larger vehicles like buses.

The government is expected to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the crash, including assessing whether vehicle condition, driver error, or road safety standards played a role in the deadly incident.