Two remanded over railway track component theft linked to Wanawasala derailment

Two individuals—one suspected of removing railway track components between Wanawasala and Kelaniya and another alleged to have purchased the stolen materials—have been remanded in custody until May 29.

The arrests follow a train derailment and overturning incident that occurred last morning (16) between the Kelaniya and Wanawasala railway stations.

Railway Department Traffic Superintendent Asanka Samarasinghe stated that the accident was caused by the removal of iron bars from the points system used to switch trains between tracks.

Peliyagoda Police launched investigations and subsequently arrested the suspect accused of dismantling the railway components. Authorities said the suspect is a heavy drug user.

Further questioning led to the arrest of a second suspect believed to have purchased the stolen iron materials.

Both suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today, where they were ordered to be remanded until May 29.