Passara Accident : Rs. 50,000 compensation for victims' families

Colombo (News 1st): 41 people who sustained injuries as a result of an SLTB bus which went down a precipice last evening (January 6) are currently receiving treatment at the Badulla Hospital. The accident occurred at the 6th milepost area along the Passara - Madolsima road. The driver and conductor of the bus have also sustained injuries. A senior official attached to the Badulla Hospital said, 2 people who had sustained severe injuries are currently receiving treatment at the ICU. He added surgeries had been performed on 4 other people last night (January 6). Eight people have died as a result of the accident. The remains are placed at the mortuary of the Passara Hospital. Two children are also among the dead. The bus which had left for Akiriya around 4:30 pm and had met with the accident around 5:20 pm. The SLTB bus had veered off the road and fallen into a precipice around 100 to 150 feet deep. More than 50 passengers were on board the bus at the time. The Ministry of Passenger Transport Management said it would provide compensation of Rs. 50,000 each to conduct the funerals of all those who lost their lives. State Minister of Passenger Transport Management Dilum Amunugama said a special investigation into the accident will also be launched. The Sri Lanka Transport Board also said that a special investigation will be launched into the accident.