## 📈 Strengthening Transport Accountability: Chain of Responsibility (CoR)

A legal paradigm shift is proposed to transform road safety in Sri Lanka by adopting the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) framework. This move shifts accountability from individual drivers to all parties in the transport supply chain, addressing systemic failures in heavy vehicle safety. • The Current Gap in Sri Lanka Current protocols focus primarily on the driver and vehicle roadworthiness post-accident. While the Motor Traffic Act and the Penal Code provide for legal action, investigations often miss the broader influences like unrealistic scheduling or poor loading practices. Fatalities rose to 2,710 in 2025, a 13.1% YoY increase from 2024. • The CoR Model (Australian Best Practice) Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), accountability is shared across: Transport Operators: Policies and maintenance systems. Schedulers: Ensuring deadlines do not force speeding or fatigue. Loaders/Consignors: Ensuring timber or heavy cargo is properly restrained. Executive Officers: Personal liability for failing to exercise "due diligence." • Proposed Impact for Sri Lanka Shared Liability: Extends to logistics providers, consignors, and public sector heads. Risk Management: Compels organizations to identify and eliminate hazards before incidents occur. Governance: Integrates safety into the ICT/BPM and plantation sectors’ logistics, protecting human capital. • Legal Consequences Failure to manage risks is an offence even without an accident. Potential penalties for non-compliance include fines up to US$ 3 million for businesses and US$ 300,000 for individuals (based on Australian benchmarks). _Note: Summary based on Part I of a strategic series on public sector accountability (Jan 2026)._