Wearing seat belts will become mandatory for all drivers and passengers travelling on Sri Lanka’s expressways from September 19, Police said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, Director in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, said at a media briefing that the requirement would apply to all passengers and that the law would be strictly enforced.
He said a fine of Rs. 1,000 could be imposed on anyone travelling without wearing a seat belt.
Ranagala said the law also allows fines to be imposed on passengers of expressway buses who fail to wear seat belts. He stressed that the public should recognise the importance of wearing seat belts for their own safety.
The decision has been taken to protect lives, particularly amid an increase in fatalities linked to occupants not wearing seat belts during road accidents, he said.
Meanwhile, National Council for Road Safety Chairman Manjula Kularatne said the grace period granted for vehicles without seat belts to have them installed would also expire on September 19.
The requirement will be enforced under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2455/29, issued on September 25, 2025, which provides for the mandatory use of seat belts in all vehicles travelling on expressways.
