COLOMBO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government Monday said it had imposed a hefty fine on six forms of traffic violations in order to minimize the rising rate of accidents.
Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said that a sum of 25,000 rupees (about U.S. 169 dollars) would be imposed on drunk driving, driving without a vehicle insurance, driving without a valid license, overtaking, speeding and driving through a railway crossing, irresponsibly.
The government had initially proposed a 2500 rupees (about 16 dollars) fine for severe traffic violations in its budget for 2017.
However following discussions with the relevant transport officials, the government had agreed to increase it to 25,000 rupees.
Delivering the budget statement in Parliament last week, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that road accidents claimed more lives daily and most of the accidents were due to the traffic violations.
