Sri Lankan police launch nationwide bus inspections after series of accidents

COLOMBO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's police have begun inspecting passenger buses nationwide following a spate of accidents involving buses in recent months, a senior police officer announced on Sunday.

Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya stated that investigations into several serious bus accidents have revealed various mechanical and structural defects in the vehicles.

He also noted instances of bus drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol.

While police have launched random bus inspections across the country, Weerasooriya urged the public to report reckless driving by bus operators by calling 119 or 1997.

Weerasooriya further reported that 2,243 Sri Lankans have lost their lives in road accidents between Jan. 1 and Dec. 13 this year. ■