The government has allocated Rs. 1.5 billion to make dangerous road locations safer across the country.
The work will focus on roads outside the national highway system. Each district will receive Rs. 60 million to identify unsafe locations and carry out safety measures.
Local government institutions will identify dangerous locations in their areas and oversee the work.
Local Authorities to Identify Dangerous Locations
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with local government institutions on September 18 to begin the work. Chairpersons and mayors of local authorities took part in the signing.
The local authorities will identify unsafe road locations and take steps to make them safer. The work will focus on physical road conditions that can increase the risk of accidents.
The National Council on Road Safety will provide technical guidance during the process. It will also review progress and advise local authorities on the safety measures.
Work to Continue Until December
The MoUs signed with local authorities will remain in effect until December 31, 2026.
The initiative follows a Cabinet proposal submitted by Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake on May 20.
Cabinet approved the proposal on June 1. Speaking at the event, Minister Rathnayake said road safety needs practical action in addition to traffic law enforcement.
He said road accidents cause loss of life as well as economic and social costs. The minister also stressed the need to improve unsafe road conditions alongside public awareness and traffic laws.
The new road safety effort will focus on finding dangerous locations and making them safer. For road users, the key change is that local authorities now have dedicated funds to address dangerous spots on roads outside the national highway system.
Last modified: September 19, 2026
