After Worst Crash In Decades, Sri Lanka To Monitor Bus Drivers Using AI
The South Asian nation, which records an average of 3,000 road fatalities annually, has some of the most dangerous roads in the world.
Buses are to be equipped with driver monitoring systems from next year, while seat belts will become compulsory on public transport from June, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told reporters in Colombo.
It came after an overcrowded bus carrying dozens of Buddhist pilgrims plummeted into a precipice on Sunday.
The changes are aimed at "educating motorists to develop a better driving culture and improving safety standards", Rathnayake said.
"We are going to make AI-backed driver observation systems mandatory on all buses from next year, and we will expand them to all long-distance trucks as well."
The minister said the cause of Sunday's crash in the tea-growing mountainous region of Kotmale was still being investigated, but that two more passengers had died, raising the toll to 23.
Fifty-four passengers were admitted to the hospital, Rathnayake said, adding that preliminary inquiries had found no immediate indication of driver error.
Another driver had reported a problem with the bus's steering wheel the day before, but managers said it was attended to.
Sunday's crash off a cliffside road was the deadliest recorded in Sri Lanka since April 2005.
The state-owned bus was carrying around 77 passengers -- about 20 more than its capacity.
In March 2021, 13 passengers and the driver of a privately owned bus died when the vehicle crashed into a precipice in Passara, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of the site of Sunday's crash.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
6 hours ago
- Economic Times
Why corporate meets are like Durga Pujo
Oh, there are few things that can top the buzz of top-notch mindfests, whether it's ET's WLF in Delhi, or WEF's powwow in Davos. But have you noticed the similarities they have with fests like Durga Pujo? Think about it - attending panels and sessions at these events is really the corporate cousin of pandal-hopping. You start with grand intentions: 'I'll attend the AI ethics panel, the tough tariffs talk, and maybe squeeze in the one on quantum tofu.' But 30 mins in, you're swinging your lanyard - the strap or cord around the neck that acts as your attendance/entry pass - and chewing the cud with someone who calls himself 'Dr Rakesh' and insists he's a thought leader in 'synergistic disruption'.Much like pujo pandals, summit panels are judged by spectacle and buzz. One has LED-lit idols, the other has videos accompanied by soft music. Both involve queues, elbowing strangers, and looking at other people looking at you being suitably moved. The moderator is the pundit doubling as pandit, chanting near-Sanskrit buzzwords like 'scalability' and 'intersectionality', with the fervour of aarti. The panelists, like deities, sit elevated, bathed in spotlight, answering questions no one asked before, with answers that leave you delightfully hungry. And the audience? A mix of devotees, sceptics, and those just here for the excellent, free coffee. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. How an auto giant trapped global investors in an INR1,000 crore heist Fortis Healthcare still heals portfolios, but valuations are running hot. Swiggy, Tencent backer Prosus gets Rajinikanth fan to script India AI play IndiGo's GIFT City unit: Simple expansion or is there more to it than meets the eye? Stock Radar: Rico Auto stock showing signs of bottoming out after about 40% fall from highs; what should investors do now? GST rationalization: You don't become irrational; 10 stocks, from two sectors, some may get more, some less, some nothing Focus on core business and ignore the rest: 5 small-caps from different sectors with upside potential of up to 48% Multibagger or IBC - Part 20: An ICE-to-EV pivot is transforming this small-cap auto ancillary company
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Buddha Vihar to boost year-round tourism
Prayagraj: The tourism department has planned to set up a Buddha Vihar (Buddhist Monastery) in the Naini-Arail region that will serve not only as a spiritual centre but also as a cultural and historical attraction. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore, will be developed in the area which was once closely associated with Emperor Harshavardhan. Plans include the construction of a meditation centre, a spacious entry gate, a dedicated hall and murals depicting the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. The walls of the complex will feature Jataka tales, presenting the moral and philosophical essence of Buddhism. The aim is to maintain the momentum of development initiated during Maha Kumbh 2025 and strengthen Prayagraj's appeal as a year-round tourist destination, said tourism department officials adding that the proposal was recently sent by the district administration to the state tourism headquarters, which has given it in-principal approval. An official of the department said the project is now ready to begin, and groundwork will start shortly. The idea stems from a post-Kumbh realisation. During the Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj witnessed an astonishing footfall of over 66 crore pilgrims and visitors. Although the influx of tourists continued, authorities observed a lack of long-term stay among visitors. By introducing culturally rich attractions like the Buddha Vihar, the govt hopes to make Prayagraj more appealing for extended visits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo The initiative also aims to benefit from its geographical advantage. Located between two major Buddhist centres—Kaushambi (a historical Buddhist site) and Sarnath in Varanasi—Prayagraj serves as a natural transit point for followers of Buddhism. A Buddha Vihar here is expected to attract Buddhist tourists and spiritual seekers, encouraging them to stay and explore the city further. In addition to the Buddha Vihar, another project has begun that caters to the local population—especially the elderly. A Senior Citizen Centre is under construction at the Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, within the Gymkhana Club complex. The project, undertaken by Prayagraj Smart City Limited, earlier faced delays due to the lack of NOC from the horticulture department, which has now been resolved. The centre, being built at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore, is expected to be completed in six months and will offer yoga, meditation and other wellness services for senior citizens. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Indian Express
Back from Hong Kong, Piprahwa gems may return to original site in UP
With Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declaring during a recent session in the state Assembly that the Piprahwa relics — repatriated to India recently, nearly 127 years after they were taken out of the country — would be brought back to Uttar Pradesh, ambitious plans are afoot here to restore the Buddhist artifacts to their original extraction site in Piprahwa village. Located in Uttar Pradesh's Siddharthnagar district, along India's international border with Nepal, Piprahwa village lies just south of Lumbini, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha. One of the lesser visited spots in the state's Buddhist circuit, Uttar Pradesh now plans to develop at this nearly 20-hectare site a theme park depicting the early life of Lord Buddha, a stupa that will likely showcase the relics and thematic meditation areas, among other attractions. The theme park will be located in front of the existing Piprahwa stupa, a site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and linked to the Shakya kingdom in the ancient city of Kapilvastu, the childhood home of Lord Buddha. Since the proposal is at a 'preliminary stage', a state official said they don't have a timeline or budget estimates at present. Officials said Uttar Pradesh also has plans to set up an immigration office at the Kakrahwa border of Siddharthnagar district for ease of entry of Buddhist pilgrims visiting Piprahwa from Lumbini in Nepal. The Piprahwa relics, which include ash and bone fragments reportedly belonging to Lord Buddha, gold ornaments and gemstones, were excavated by William Claxton Peppé, an English estate manager and engineer, in 1898 during an excavation of a stupa at Piprahwa. While most of the relics were claimed by the British Crown under the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878, a fifth of the total find was retained by Peppé. These gems were set to be auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong in May this year, when the Indian government intervened and successfully sought their repatriation. On August 18, a team comprising Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh and senior state officials met Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi to discuss the project. Sources said the state is seeking a collaboration with the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture on the project. Before bringing the relics back to the state — to the original site of excavation — Uttar Pradesh plans to transform the spot by setting up a 'world Buddhist tourism site' to attract both domestic and international tourists. 'We are working on a plan to enhance the tourist experience at Piprahwa. A theme park and a Buddhist stupa are in the pipeline for the same,' said Mukesh Meshram, principal secretary, state Tourism and Culture. The proposed project aims to create 'a heritage and eco-sensitive visitor experience, which would complement both the archaeological and spiritual legacy of Kapilvastu'. Among the project's various proposals are a sculpture trail that would depict the various stages of Lord Buddha's life when he was still known as Prince Siddhartha, an interpretation centre that will showcase both Shakya and Vedic traditions, and the use of artificial intelligence for story telling. The site will also have state-of-the-art visitor infrastructure, with a cafeteria, dormitory and public amenities. Of late, sources said, there has been a rise in tourist footfall at Kapilvastu. While just 26,805 tourists visited Piprahwa in 2022, official records show that the figure rose two times over to 70,006 in 2023. A minor rise — 79,418 tourists — was recorded in 2024. Data from the first quarter of 2025 shows a tremendous rise in the number of visitors among tourists visiting Buddhist sites in the state. Between January and March this year, tourist footfall in Piprahwa was 23,507. Officials estimate around 1 lakh tourists to visit by the end of this year.
