Officials of the Road Development Authority(RDA) in Badulla, Pradeshiya Sabha, Badulla District Secretariat, and the Uva Province Governor’s office held a joint discussion on improving the road infrastructure on the Dunhinda-Badulla road where Friday’s bus tragedy claimed the lives of two female students of the Kotelawala Defence University students and injured 41 others seriously. The Kotelawala Defence University has made arrangements for the funerals of the deceased students, university sources said.
The officials said that the accident site, the Ambagas junction, on the Badulla-Mahiyangana main road in the Ambagaha Oya area, about five kilometres from the Dunhinda Falls, is a spot where numerous accidents had occurred previously.
According to the Police, two Army trucks overturned on the bend on this particular spot around two months ago. Local residents said that many accidents had occurred at this spot, with several vehicles hitting a rock by the roadside.
On Friday, residents said that the rock had remained by the roadside for over two years, with no action being taken to remove it or improve the road infrastructure despite frequent accidents.
An official of the Uva Province Governor’s Office said that the rock had been removed after the bus accident. However, he said that the rock was not a factor in the crash, as it was on the opposite side of the lane.
When asked about the findings on the accident, Badulla Police HQI, OIC T.M. Rathnayaka told the Sunday Observer yesterday that the bus had gathered speed along two or three bends before it overturned due to brake failure, which may have left the driver unable to control the vehicle as it sped down the slope.
HQI Rathnayaka said that they were unable to get a statement from the driver, as he is in a serious condition and receiving treatment at the Badulla Hospital.
In their statements, the victims of the accident said that they sensed that the brakes of the bus were failing, before it overturned, police said.
The bus was carrying 36 students from the Kotelawala Defence University’s Southern Campus (Suriyawewa), along with three lecturers, an adviser, a senior Army officer in charge of the bus, and the driver.
The two female students who died in the accident were from Kurunegala and Nivitigala. Forty passengers were taken to the Badulla Hospital, most of whom are being treated for compound fractures and wounds, with seven passengers currently in intensive care.
Uva Province Governor’s Media Secretary Sachindra Dilshan said that Governor Kapila Jayasekara has taken steps to organise accommodation for the parents and guardians of the accident victims currently receiving treatment at the Badulla Hospital. Accommodation has been provided at the Pelgahawatta Training Centre and the Hali Ela Teacher Development Centre.
He added that the Ella River View Bungalow has provided accommodation for KDU officials rendering assistance. On Friday, 20 parents and guardians were accommodated at the Pelgahawatta Training Centre.
The Ministry of Defence has expressed its gratitude to the residents and the Badulla hospital staff, including Dr. Palitha Rajapakse, for their prompt action in transporting the injured to the hospital.
