Overview

• A state-run passenger bus traveling from Kataragama to Kurunegala skidded off a cliff near Kotmale in Sri Lanka's central highlands early on May 11.
• The crash resulted in 21 confirmed fatalities and 35 injuries among the 77 passengers on board, with survivors receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
• Authorities are probing whether mechanical failure or driver fatigue caused the accident, which occurred on a narrow, mountainous road.
• The bus was overcrowded, exceeding its designed capacity, a recurring issue in Sri Lanka's public transportation system.
• Deadly bus accidents are frequent in Sri Lanka, particularly in hilly regions, due to poorly maintained roads and hazardous driving conditions.