News365.lk By Staff Reporter
28 October 2025 The Cabinet of Ministers has approved two major directives under the Motor Vehicles Act, introducing stronger enforcement measures to improve road safety and passenger protection across Sri Lanka. The new rules address growing public concern over drug-impaired driving and the lack of seat belt compliance on expressways.
New Drug-Impairment Testing Directive Approved
The first directive, titled Motor Vehicle (Drug) Directive No. 1 of 2025, empowers authorities to conduct medical checks on drivers suspected of operating vehicles under the influence of drugs.
Although existing provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act allow police officers to refer suspected drivers to a government medical officer, the law previously lacked clear guidelines on how such tests should be conducted and what quantities of substances would constitute proof of drug use.
The new directive, published in Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2452/40 dated 4 September 2025, now provides a defined legal framework for medical testing procedures and substance thresholds.
This marks a significant step toward addressing drug-related driving offences, a growing issue that has led to several serious road accidents in recent years.
The Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Acting Minister of Transport to submit the directive to Parliament for approval, signaling the government’s commitment to strengthening enforcement mechanisms.
Seat Belt Mandate Extended to All Expressway Passengers
The second measure focuses on enhancing passenger safety on expressways, where the frequency and severity of accidents have been on the rise.
Under the revised directive — an amendment to Motor Vehicles Directive (Expressway) No. 02 of 2011 — seat belt use will now be mandatory for all passengers in vehicles traveling on expressways, regardless of seating position.
The amendment, published in Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2455/29 dated 25 September 2025, was introduced to curb fatalities and serious injuries caused by non-compliance with seat belt regulations.
Previously, the requirement to wear seat belts primarily applied to drivers and front-seat passengers. The updated regulation now extends this safety measure to every occupant in every seat, aligning Sri Lanka’s standards with international best practices.
The Cabinet granted approval to the proposal presented by the Acting Minister of Transport and Highways to submit the directive to Parliament for final approval.
A Step Toward Safer Roads
The dual directives reflect the government’s ongoing initiative to modernize Sri Lanka’s road safety framework through evidence-based regulation.
By introducing structured testing for drug-impaired drivers and extending mandatory seat belt use, the government aims to reduce preventable road accidents, enhance law enforcement clarity, and protect passenger lives.
Authorities emphasized that these measures are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s transport policy, improve accountability among road users, and build a safer, more disciplined driving culture across all provinces.
Once approved by Parliament, both directives are expected to come into force later this year.
