Friends of the young man who died in a bike race in Horana were arrested for riding on one wheel at the funeral.

Horana Chief Magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya yesterday ordered the remand of two youths until February 6 for dangerously riding motorcycles during the funeral procession of a seventeen-year-old schoolboy who died after being hit by a car while participating in a motorcycle race in the Horana area. The two youths, Kavindu Dilshan (21) of Bellapitiya, Horana, and Manusha Aditya (22) of Walpita, were thus remanded. They were arrested by the Police Traffic Division while recklessly riding motorcycles on one wheel on a public road during the funeral procession.

Here, the Magistrate further ordered the police to immediately arrest other youths who rode motorcycles on one wheel during the said funeral procession, as well as the group of twelve other motorcyclists involved in the fatal motorcycle race in which the deceased student participated. The court also informed that legal action should be taken against individuals who illegally organized these races, as well as those who photographed and video-recorded the event. Attorney Sadhani Dissanayake appeared for the suspects in this incident, and Police Traffic Division Sergeant Dimuthu reported to the court that these dangerous acts pose a severe threat to public safety.

The police have launched extensive operations to curb such dangerous motorcycle races occurring in various parts of the island. Deputy Inspector General of Police W.P.J. Senadheera, in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, stated that 52 people have lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in the short period of this year alone. Specifically, orders have been issued to seize and confiscate high-capacity motorcycles ranging from 600cc to 1000cc and illegally assembled motorcycles. There is also the possibility of imposing high fines of up to two hundred thousand rupees for such offenses.

Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wutler emphasized that only motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 450cc are permitted to be ridden on public roads, and strict legal action will be taken against parents who provide motorcycles to children under 18 years of age. Such races are frequently reported in areas like Ja-Ela, Wellawatta, Bokundara, and Gampaha, and to suppress them, plainclothes secret police officers have been deployed. All police stations have been instructed not to show any leniency towards individuals who behave riotously during funeral processions, disturbing the public.

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