6 women killed in the Aluthgama train accident.

6 women were killed when a van crashed against a train at an unprotected railway crossing near the Aluthgama railway station last afternoon.  

The police said that a van carrying some Poson pilgrims had thus crashed against a train at an unprotected railway crossing near the Depot Road Poorvaaraama Buddhist Temple in Aluthgama.

They are residents of Dodangoda in Kalutara.

The van had been dragged about 200 metres and plunged into a stream  after hitting a train plying from Maradana bound for Hikkaduwa.

The police said that another woman and four men were wounded in the accident and were receiving treatment at the Kalutara Naagoda hospital.

Out of the six women killed four were residents of Ambagaha-kumbura in Dodangoda.

Reports say that the van driver concerned who had sustained minor injuries was provided treatment and taken into police custody.

Several commuters who were in the train at the time expressed their views as follows;

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After the accident residents of the area were engaged in a protest by standing across the railway track as a result of the accident.

Due to this coastal line train transport was severely hampered.

 Venerable Veerakaetiye Jinaratana Thero of the Aluthgama Ganegama Poorvaaraama Vihaaraya speaking to our new team had this to say…..

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