TLDR: Sri Lanka has initiated a pilot project to install artificial intelligence (AI) camera systems in 40 long-distance buses, both state-owned and private, aimed at drastically reducing accidents. The AI technology will monitor driver behavior, detect fatigue and distraction, and ensure compliance with traffic regulations, marking a significant step in modernizing the nation’s public transport safety infrastructure.
Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a proactive move to curb the alarming rate of road accidents, Sri Lanka officially launched a pilot project on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, to integrate advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera systems into its long-distance bus fleet. This initiative, undertaken with the participation of the private sector, targets both state-run and private buses, aiming to enhance passenger safety and mitigate driver-related incidents.
The initial phase of the project will see 40 AI cameras installed across selected buses. These sophisticated systems are designed to continuously monitor driver behavior, providing real-time alerts for critical safety parameters. Key functionalities include the detection of driver fatigue, drowsiness, and eye closure, which are common precursors to accidents. Furthermore, the AI cameras will monitor adherence to traffic rules and ensure seatbelt usage among drivers. The system is also equipped to issue direct signals to drivers and will play a crucial role in efficient bus fleet management.
This technological leap comes amidst a pressing need for improved road safety in Sri Lanka, a nation that records an average of 3,000 road fatalities annually. The urgency of such measures was underscored by a recent tragic bus crash, the country’s worst in two decades, which claimed 23 lives.
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, previously highlighted the transformative potential of this technology. He stated, ‘We are using AI-controlled devices to alert drivers in real time. Unlike CCTV cameras, which rely on human monitoring, AI systems can actively detect signs of driver fatigue or distraction and intervene immediately.’ This emphasizes the shift from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention.
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Beyond the AI camera deployment, the government has also implemented 85 new transport safety guidelines, effective from July 1, 2025, to further improve service standards and ensure driver vigilance and passenger protection. If the pilot project proves effective, the government intends to expand the AI system to a larger fleet and potentially other sectors of public transport, signifying a major advancement in Sri Lanka’s public transportation safety infrastructure. The long-term vision includes making AI-backed driver observation systems mandatory on all buses and eventually extending them to long-distance trucks.
