Two women have tragically lost their lives after being struck by a vehicle driven by an intoxicated motorist on the Embulgama-Panagoda Road in Hanwella. The fatal hit-and-run incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 7 June 2026, prompting urgent calls for stricter enforcement of drunk driving laws across the island.

According to Hanwella Police, the victims were pedestrians walking along the roadside when a car travelling at high speed struck them before fleeing the scene. Both women were pronounced dead at the site of the collision. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the driver, who abandoned the vehicle a short distance away.

Police Identify Suspect Following Vehicle Recovery

Investigators recovered the abandoned car approximately two kilometres from the crash site. Forensic officers found evidence of alcohol consumption inside the vehicle, including empty bottles. Police sources told the Daily Mirror that the suspect's identity has been established through vehicle registration records, and officers are actively searching for him.

The Hanwella Police have requested anyone with information about the suspect's whereabouts to contact the station immediately. A senior officer at the scene noted that witnesses reported seeing the vehicle swerving erratically moments before the collision, suggesting the driver was heavily intoxicated.

Growing Concerns Over Drunk Driving Fatalities

This latest tragedy has reignited public debate about drunk driving enforcement in Sri Lanka. Road safety advocates point to alarming statistics that show alcohol-related accidents account for a significant percentage of traffic fatalities each year. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 3,000 people die annually on Sri Lankan roads, with impaired driving being a major contributing factor.

Local residents in Hanwella expressed shock and anger at the incident. "We've been warning authorities about dangerous driving on this road for months," said K.M. Perera, a shopkeeper near the accident site. "People drive recklessly here, especially at night. Now two innocent lives have been lost because someone chose to drink and drive."

Legal Penalties and Enforcement Challenges

Under Sri Lankan law, driving under the influence carries severe penalties, including fines up to Rs. 25,000 and potential imprisonment. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly outside major urban centres. Traffic police conduct periodic checks, but resources are often stretched thin across rural districts.

The Motor Traffic Act mandates a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.08%, with enhanced penalties for causing death while driving intoxicated. If apprehended and convicted, the Hanwella suspect could face vehicular homicide charges, which carry a minimum sentence of ten years' imprisonment.

Community Calls for Immediate Action

In response to the incident, road safety campaigners are demanding more visible policing and tougher sentencing for repeat offenders. The Automobile Association of Ceylon has long advocated for mandatory breathalyser checkpoints on high-risk roads, particularly during weekends and public holidays when alcohol-related incidents spike.

"Every preventable death is a failure of our enforcement system," said Dilshan Fernando, a road safety researcher at the University of Colombo. "We need sustained political will to implement proven interventions like random breath testing and public awareness campaigns."

Local authorities in Hanwella have promised to increase patrols along the Embulgama-Panagoda Road and install additional lighting to improve visibility. The Police Traffic Division has also announced plans to conduct heightened drunk driving checks throughout the Western Province over the coming weeks.

The victims' families are being supported by local community organisations as they cope with this sudden loss. Police have withheld the names of the deceased pending notification of extended family members.

As investigations continue, this tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Authorities urge the public to report suspected drunk drivers and to never drive after consuming alcohol, no matter how short the distance.

Source: Daily Mirror