Seat belts compulsory for all expressway passengers from Sept. 20

Wearing seat belts will become mandatory for all occupants of vehicles travelling on expressways from September 20, following Parliament’s approval of an Order ending the concessionary period granted for compliance with the requirement.

The Order, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2493/19 of June 17, 2026, was approved by Parliament following discussions at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development chaired by Minister Bimal Rathnayake.

The requirement was introduced through an amendment to the Motor Traffic (Expressways) Order of 2011, published in Gazette No. 2455/29 on September 25, 2025. It requires seat belts to be worn by all persons travelling in vehicles using expressways, with the aim of reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by road accidents.

A three-month concessionary period was initially granted to allow vehicle owners to install seat belts in seats that had not been fitted with them by manufacturers. The period ended on December 25, 2025.

Following requests from the public for additional time, the concessionary period was subsequently extended from March 20 to June 19, 2026.

Meanwhile, Parliament also approved Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2489/22 of May 19, 2026, concerning minimum technical standards for vehicles used in passenger transport services.

The standards cover vehicles operated under the National Transport Commission, Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities and the Sri Lanka Transport Board, including passenger, school and office transport services and vehicles hired for special tours.

The committee noted that ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles has become increasingly important with the rapid growth in the number of vehicles on Sri Lankan roads.

It was also noted that studies on road accidents had identified mechanical defects and poor vehicle maintenance, in addition to driver errors, as contributing factors to serious accidents.

The Chairperson urged MPs to raise public awareness among vehicle owners and the general public on the importance of vehicle safety and proper maintenance.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, MPs and government officials attended the meeting.