Twenty one children were injured when their school bus collided with lorry in Munneswaram. They and the driver of the bus were rushed to the Chilaw Hospital.

One student in a serious condition was transferred to the National Hospital, Colombo.

According to the Chilaw police, the accident had occurred as the bus was over-crowded and speeding. The 26 seater had been transporting 46 school children.

The driver of the ill-fated lorry said the bus had tried to overtake a three wheeler and a van.

He said: "When I saw the bus approaching, I flashed the head lights and warned the driver. Then I stopped my vehicle. But the speeding bus driver could not control his vehicle and crashed into my lorry".

Children had been trapped inside the bus and it was with difficulty that they had been taken out, he said.