Ella, September 5, 2025 – A devastating road accident on the Ella–Wellawaya main road has claimed the lives of 15 people, leaving families and communities in Tangalle in deep mourning.
The victims include the Secretary of the Tangalle Urban Council, 12 council employees, two children, and the bus driver. The group had been travelling together when their bus toppled off the road last evening. One female passenger remains missing, and search efforts are still underway.
What was meant to be a day of fellowship among colleagues has instead turned into an immense tragedy for the Tangalle Urban Council and the people of the region. Many of those who perished were long-serving employees, remembered for their dedication to public service and their close ties to the local community.
Residents of Tangalle described the victims as not just colleagues but also parents, friends, and neighbours whose loss will be felt deeply across the town. The deaths of the two children have added to the heartbreak, underscoring the human cost of this accident.
Deputy Minister of Local Government Ruwan Senarath expressed condolences to the families of the victims, assuring that immediate relief and assistance will be provided.
As families prepare for funerals, Tangalle mourns the collective loss of lives that were closely bound to the community’s daily functioning and future. This tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for safer travel conditions on Sri Lanka’s roads.
