A train derailed between the Kelaniya and Wanawasala railway stations on Saturday morning, hospitalising at least 10 passengers and disrupting services on the Main Line.
One of the carriages of the South Kalutara-bound service completely overturned off the tracks near Wanawasala station, NewsFirst reported, citing Sri Lanka Railways General Manager Ravindra Padmapriya. Ten passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby private hospital. The train was travelling from Polgahawela at the time of the incident.
A special investigation team that includes two engineers has been deployed to the site, the General Manager said. Ada Derana reported that one passenger was thrown out of the overturned carriage and that police suspect he may have sustained injuries after becoming trapped between the carriage and a car parked near the railway line. The Railway Department warned commuters to expect delays on the Main Line.
Kelaniya and Wanawasala lie on the busy Main Line corridor that connects the upcountry and northwestern provinces to Colombo Fort. Morning weekend services along the segment include heavy commuter, market and school traffic into the capital.
The incident is the latest in a series of railway disruptions in recent weeks. A train derailed at Dematagoda on 4 May on the same Main Line corridor, while the Sagarika express recorded back-to-back derailments in late April — first on the Wadduwa coastal line and then again at Kompannavidiya the following day. Services on that route only resumed after a major recovery effort.
Railway officials have repeatedly flagged ageing rolling stock and track maintenance backlogs as factors in the rising frequency of derailments, though no formal incident-cause statement has been issued for Saturday’s event.
Sources: Newswire, Ada Derana, NewsFirst.
