21 killed, 490 injured during New Year holidays

16 April 2013 05:33 pm Views - 4516

Police Headquarters said today 13 people were killed in road accidents while eight had died in clashes during the National New Year holidays from April 13 to 15.

It said nearly 550 motorists were arrested on charges of drunk driving.

Most of the incidents were reported from Colombo, Ratnapura, Tangalle, Matara, Kurunegala, Kandy and Anuradhapura.

Some 260 people were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital while 230 were admitted to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital after being injured in New Year-related accidents.

Hospital authorities said these accidents had taken place because they had failed to take precautions when lighting fire crackers, when spring cleaning, painting and renovating homes and reckless driving.

Police said the numbers of accidents this year had increased when compared with the statistics recorded last year during the New Year season though injuries when lighting of fire crackers had significantly decreased during this year.(Supun Dias)