Man arrested over suspected railway sabotage in Wanawasala derailment

A man has been arrested by police on suspicion of removing iron components from the railway track at the site of the recent train derailment in Wanawasala.

The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by the Railway Department with the Peliyagoda Police, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Authorities suspect that the derailment may have been caused after certain iron parts at a railway switching point were removed by an unidentified group.

Meanwhile, the Railway Department has appointed an investigation team, including two engineers, to examine the cause of the derailment.

The train involved, No. 507, had been travelling from Polgahawela to Kalutara South when it derailed between the Kelaniya and Wanawasala railway stations.

Three carriages reportedly went off the tracks, with one carriage completely overturning.

Several passengers sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital following the incident.