Sri Lanka, May 29 -- The experts' committee appointed to investigate the cause of fatal bus crash in Gerandi Ella, Kotmale, has identified driver fatigue as the primary cause of the accident, citing a violation of mandatory rest regulations under the Motor Traffic Act.

According to Sections 169/1 and 169/2 of the Act, drivers are required to take a minimum break of 30 minutes after every four and a half hours of driving, the final report compiled by the investigation committee noted, highlighting if a break is shorter than 30 minutes, the total driving time is legally considered continuous.

Investigators revealed that the driver of the ill-fated bus had taken only a 15-minute rest at Welimada-insufficient under the law. As a result, it ...