Sri Lanka Police to Fine Pedestrians Wearing Headphones While Walking
Sri Lanka Police have announced that pedestrians who walk on roads while wearing headphones or earphones and listening to music will soon face legal action, instead of just receiving warnings.
The move comes because many accidents involving pedestrians are linked to them being distracted by music. Between January 1 and June 30, 2026, 1,389 people died in 1,323 road accidents, an increase compared to 2025. Pedestrians and cyclists are among the most affected.
To reduce accidents, police have introduced stricter enforcement, including new speed detection devices that can monitor vehicles from up to 3 km away. They also warned that traffic laws will be enforced more strictly, with penalties including court action and possible suspension of driving licences.