Considering the increasing instances of waste dumping and the ongoing deaths and injuries caused by reckless driving—particularly by bus drivers—one cannot help but feel that the much-publicised Clean Sri Lanka initiative has yet to take off as intended. The government needs to improve its performance or refrain from giving people false hope by making promises that are not followed by action.
Daily news reports illustrate the situation in the country: fatal road accidents, illegal dumps in urban areas, and a wave of crimes. They highlight how some individuals show little regard for others and raise questions about the tangible impact of Clean Sri Lanka on society thus far.
In two previous articles—Clean Sri Lanka – Cleansing the Soul of the Country and Buses Do Not Kill; Bus Drivers Do: One Dies Every Three Hours in Road Accidents—the writer drew attention to the broader vision of Clean Sri Lanka, as outlined by President Dissanayake. When launching the initiative on 1 January 2025, the President stated:
“This endeavour goes beyond merely cleaning up the environment. It aspires to restore the deeply eroded and deteriorated social and environmental fabric of our motherland. We aim to create cleanliness and rejuvenation across all sectors of society.”
The President introduced a three-step plan, emphasising that it extends beyond physical cleanliness. It is, in fact, about cleansing the soul of the country and restoring its lost values. His full speech has been widely reported (source).
However, the President alone cannot lead and manage such a vast initiative. Clean Sri Lanka requires a fundamental cultural shift in people’s thinking and values, involving the entire nation. While the official website alludes to this, it remains unclear how these goals will be achieved. Tasks and responsibilities should be devolved through discussions and agreements—not only within the political and governmental sectors but also among non-governmental entities, including religious institutions.
That said, it is important to manage public expectations. Given the enormity of the challenges, significant change will take time. Raising hopes too high in the short term—only to deliver minimal results—could backfire, fostering widespread scepticism and undermining the initiative’s credibility.
Unsafe Roads and Rising Casualties from Road Accidents
The article Buses Do Not Kill; Bus Drivers Do: One Dies Every Three Hours in Road Accidents highlighted the alarming rate of road fatalities and injuries in Sri Lanka and how they are hindering the country’s economic growth.
Better driving and respect for all road users, including pedestrians, are directly linked to societal values. Reckless driving, in contrast, reflects a disregard for others.
Statistics indicate that Sri Lanka’s annual road crash fatality rate per capita is twice the average of high-income countries and five times that of the best-performing nations. Data suggests an annual average of 38,000 crashes, resulting in around 3,000 deaths and 8,000 serious injuries.
Sri Lanka has the worst road fatality rate among its immediate South Asian neighbours, as reported by the World Bank (Delivering Road Safety in Sri Lanka: Leadership Priorities and Initiatives to 2030).
Errant drivers—including bus, truck, three-wheeler, and private vehicle drivers—have made the roads unsafe for everyone. A recent tragic incident, in which a speeding driver (travelling at over 160 km/h) killed a mother and father, leaving three children orphaned, exemplifies the recklessness of some individuals. This raises questions about the priorities of law enforcement. While the police routinely check driving licences, revenue documents, and insurance papers, their vigilance regarding speeding and reckless driving remains questionable. The behaviour of some drivers—whether operating buses, trucks, cars, three-wheelers, or motorcycles—suggests a lack of effective oversight.
The critical question is: does the community care? Do officials care? Do the police care? Do politicians genuinely care?
If reckless and irresponsible driving continues unchecked, and law enforcement fails to take firm action against such behaviour, public frustration may reach a breaking point. If authorities do not intervene decisively, another Aragalaya (people’s uprising) may be brewing—one driven by the need for safer roads and a genuine commitment to protecting lives.
