Six Killed, 13 Injured as Drunk Driver Rams Truck into Wesak Crowd Near Colombo

At least six people were killed and 13 others injured after a pickup truck driven by an allegedly intoxicated motorist ploughed into a crowd celebrating the Buddhist festival of Wesak on the outskirts of Sri Lanka's capital, police said on Monday.

The tragic accident occurred on Sunday night in Meegoda , a suburb of Colombo, where devotees had gathered near a roadside food stall established as part of the annual Wesak celebrations. According to police, the vehicle veered into a queue of people waiting for refreshments, causing multiple casualties.

Authorities said three men aged between 35 and 38 years and three females aged between 15 and 56 years lost their lives in the crash. Thirteen others, including an infant , sustained serious injuries and were admitted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Police identified the driver as a 42-year-old man who fled the scene immediately after the incident. He was arrested several miles away following a search operation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had consumed alcohol and was allegedly driving under the influence at the time of the crash.

The incident has sent shockwaves across the country during Wesak , the most significant religious festival in Buddhism. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha and is observed annually on the first full moon in May.

Across Sri Lanka, devotees organise free food stalls, known locally as "dansals", offering meals and refreshments to the public. These stalls attract large crowds, particularly during evening hours, creating heavy traffic and congestion in many areas.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about road safety, drunk driving and crowd management during major public celebrations . Authorities are expected to review safety measures around festival venues to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Police said further investigations are underway.