Police to introduce roadside drug-testing kits within months

Sri Lanka Police will introduce on-site drug-testing kits within the next two to three months as part of efforts to tackle the growing problem of motorists driving under the influence of narcotics, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya said.

Weerasooriya said police had observed changes in the factors contributing to fatal road accidents, with drug-impaired driving becoming an increasing concern alongside drunk driving.

A recent pilot operation targeting buses in and around Colombo found that more than 5 per cent of drivers tested had been operating vehicles under the influence of narcotics, he said.

At present, suspected drug use has to be confirmed through medical testing, unlike alcohol consumption, which police officers can often detect at the scene.

Weerasooriya said drug testing had therefore been made mandatory for drivers involved in serious accidents, while the planned roadside testing kits would allow police to carry out checks more quickly.

He said driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, speeding and breaches of traffic laws remained among the main causes of fatal road accidents in Sri Lanka.

The country recorded 2,549 fatal road accidents in 2025, while 1,849 fatal accidents have been reported so far in 2026.

Compared with the same period last year, the number of fatal accidents has increased by eight, while deaths have risen by 16, he said.

Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, followed by motorcyclists. Pillion riders and cyclists have also accounted for a significant number of deaths.

Authorities have identified 712 accident-prone locations across the country following a nationwide survey conducted in response to the rising number of serious road accidents.