Tragedy in Ramboda: 21 Dead, Dozens Injured as SLTB Bus Plunges into Precipice

A devastating bus accident in the early hours of Sunday has left at least 21 people dead and over 35 others injured after a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus plunged into a steep precipice in the Garandiella area of Ramboda, along the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road.

The ill-fated bus was reportedly traveling from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya when it veered off the road under unclear circumstances and fell into a ravine. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, and the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Authorities say the death toll could rise, given the severity of some injuries.

In the wake of the tragedy, National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) issued a heartfelt appeal for national solidarity. He called on all citizens, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations to come together to support the victims and their families.

“This is not just an isolated incident. It is a reflection of a deeper crisis in road safety and public transport management,” AKD said in a statement. “We must not allow these deaths to be forgotten. I urge everyone to join hands in treating the wounded and comforting those affected.”

He further emphasized the urgent need for systemic reforms and announced that his party will introduce a comprehensive national plan to minimize road accidents. This proposed initiative is expected to include stricter enforcement of traffic laws, driver education programs, regular maintenance checks for public transport vehicles, and infrastructure improvements in high-risk areas.

Initial police investigations are ongoing, and officials have not ruled out driver negligence or mechanical failure as potential causes of the accident. Meanwhile, traffic authorities have warned of poor road conditions in several hill country areas, particularly during adverse weather.

As the nation mourns yet another tragic loss of life on its roads, public demand for safer transport conditions is growing louder. This incident adds to a troubling pattern of fatal road accidents involving long-distance public buses in Sri Lanka, raising urgent questions about regulatory oversight, vehicle safety, and driver fatigue.

Funeral arrangements for the victims are expected to take place in the coming days, as communities across the country express their grief and frustration.