A complaint has been lodged with the police regarding the train derailment that occurred early today (16) between the Kelaniya Railway Station and Wanawasala Railway Station, according to the Department of Railways Sri Lanka.
Superintendent of Train Operations Asanka Samarasinghe stated that preliminary investigations suggest the derailment was caused by the removal of metal plates from a railway switch point used to guide trains between tracks.
According to Samarasinghe, the switch point connects the main railway line to a track leading to a solid waste site.
He explained that the removal of the metal plates caused the switching mechanism to become unstable, resulting in part of the train remaining on the main line while the rear section moved onto the adjacent track.
“As a result, the second carriage of the train set traveled across both tracks and overturned,” he stated.
Samarasinghe further said authorities suspect the parts may have been removed either deliberately as an act of sabotage or for theft purposes.
Police have since launched a formal investigation and conducted a site inspection.
Meanwhile, Peliyagoda Police arrested one suspect in connection with the removal of metal components from the railway track.
Police stated that the suspect is allegedly a severe drug addict and that preliminary investigations indicate the removed parts had been transported elsewhere.
Investigations are continuing to identify and arrest another suspect believed to be linked to the incident.
According to police, 12 passengers sustained minor injuries in the derailment and were admitted to nearby private hospitals, while one injured person was admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.
Police Media Spokesperson F. U. Wootler confirmed that further investigations are ongoing.
