Of late, there have been many reports of serious motor accidents, involving vehicles of ministers and their back-up vehicles. In many cases the accidents have been fatal.

One of the reasons for so many accidents involving VIP vehicles is the excessive speed at which these vehicles are driven, with scant regard to other road users, particularly pedestrians. Most roads are quite narrow with no pavements or demarcated areas for pedestrians. Even the pavements which are constructed by the authorities have been taken over by hawkers, forcing people to walk on the roads, making them targets for accidents.

I do not think there is a citizen in this country who has not witnessed the arrogance and the ‘boru-show’ of the drivers of VIP vehicles. The moment they get on the road, they think that they have the liberty to even kill innocent people or cause accidents to other vehicles and property. Since they have the protection of VIP’s, they are not liable for prosecution, or the Police dare not prosecute them. Isn’t it time for the President of Sri Lanka to issue an order to all VIPs (even very minor ones), to stop this madness and order the drivers not to drive as though they are demon possessed. (Always the President has to give the order, even for ‘impartial’ enquiries by the Police!).

The war is now over. We are told by the president and other politicians that people are once again free and can go about their business without fear of bombs etc. Obviously, this message has not got through to the politicians. I can understand special security for the president, security chiefs and the Secretary of Defence. But who cares about the rest of the politicians.

We appeal to the president to kindly instruct the police and all politicians who have security vehicles to observe road rules and respect other road users and not to use their vehicles as weapons of mass destruction.