Electric Cables worth Rs.10 million chipped away from train parked at Hikkaduwa

20 April 2024 06:02 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By D.G.Sugathapala

In a daring robbery which has stunned authorities, thieves managed to steal electric cables worth over Rs.10 million from a train named ‘Nayana Kumari’ stationed at Hikkaduwa railway station, a top official said.

Deputy Superintendant- Railway Protection Force G.W. Sumith said the incident, had occurred in the early hours of Thursday, targeting the Nayana Kumari express train which had arrived the previous night from Colombo.

According to railway security officials, the thieves specifically targeted cables used for powering the lighting system within the passenger compartments. Their method of operation suggests a sophisticated understanding of electric circuits, as only individuals familiar with such technology would be able to dismantle the cables.

In response to the incident, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Crime Investigation Division in Galle police, CI A.S.L. Narangoda, has initiated a thorough investigation. Authorities are working diligently to gather evidence and pursue leads that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, railway authorities are urged to enhance security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The brazen nature of this theft serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure against criminal activities.

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Comments - 24

No Proper Jobs Saturday, 20 April 2024 07:03 AM

The current and previous politicians lead the economic situation to this kind of crime to be rampant. Create more jobs for the people and crime will fall accordingly. If not, this will be an ongoing trend.

Rip Winkle Saturday, 20 April 2024 07:54 AM

What's there to be stunned about when those who rule do even worse, and on a much larger scale? Those who govern and police the country have not just set the stage for such crimes but lead by example. The misdeeds of officials from successive governments, most notably the Rajapaksa Brothers and sons (not to mention all their henchmen, friends and relatives) have forced people who have never stolen a dime previously, to stoop to thievery in order to survive. Sri Lanka needs a complete change of regime, including a majority of members of opposition parties otherwise things will definitely get worse.

Master job only a Railway electrician can do Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:04 AM

Cables in trains are not visible to average citizens as they are not exposed. Ordinary Electricians are not capable to remove the cable entirely. It has to be done by somebody working in the particular field. i.e. one or several Railway technician only can do this crime.

navratne willamune Saturday, 20 April 2024 05:40 PM

?inside job

ravin Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:22 AM

Oh !! its Nayana Kumari's cables . Must have taken to neighbouring electorate estate for temporary use.

Farook Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:24 AM

Best is to search within. Who would know the sophisticated wirings other than the mechanical staff attached to the railways? Better to investigate starting with the electrical department. Grill a few of them until they spill the beans I don't need to spell it out as how it should be carried out. The intelligence guys know how to proceed!

Sokrates Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:28 AM

Are the cables made of gold? In a single train, power cables worth Rs 10 million could never have been used to light the coaches, not even Rs 1 million.

Jude Fernando Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:44 AM

Initiating thorough investigation and working diligently to gather evidence! What rubbish! The horse has already bolted. The railway department has a fancy but very ineffective security apparatus. They must be taken to task for failing to safeguard public property.

Navalanka Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:49 AM

This is a clear case of security lapse, so why blame the thieves and why the authorities were stunned ,as the items were exposed with no security coverage and it tempted a group of people to steal to better themselves. Sure, message went down from the Station of origin that electric cables were on board the train. unprotected .On such occasions, Railway security, Police and the Station masters should coordinate to ensure no thefts are carried out on trains. It is simple as that. Do not put the blame on others but blame yourself.

Steve Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:01 AM

Prevention is better than cure. Where are you the so called smart Police force.

Rudy Hodgson Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:18 AM

Nothing of this nature could take place without the involvement of Railway workers themselves. Catch a few and you'll solve the case.

Too much about everything become critical infrastructure Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:20 AM

Calling on theft of the cables as theft of critical infrastructure makes shows desperation to make a point. Most consumers don't care one bit about it.

Disgruntled passenger Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:26 AM

This is a great train robbery. It is an inside job. Why no security in the station.? A disgrace to CGR. Hand over the railways to Indian Railways.

Deception Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:34 AM

Must be an inside job, whoever knew what the train was carrying, and its overnight parking shedule. Please catch these thieves

Great train robbery Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:40 AM

Check with Welgama....

RETIRED CGR Saturday, 20 April 2024 10:08 AM

Apprehending the perpetrators shouldn't be rocket science. Expressway wires and bolts from the Kelaniya bridge, no one knows what happened. Same with this.

melville perera Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:18 AM

pretty clear it was an inside job. when a moving train comes to a halt next to the parked train the organised "thieves" mistaken for railway employees must have been ready to transfer the loot to the moving train Where was the SM - in his room?

Nimal Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:20 AM

This train was parked overnight at the Hikkaduwa railway station. Were the security personnel fast asleep while all this happened?

DW Saturday, 20 April 2024 01:32 PM

Definitely an inside job. The government will spend another half a million appointing a committee to investigate the incident and I won't be surprised if some of the robbers themselves or their friends or relatives get selected for the committee. This is what's been happening in Sri Lanka since independence.

Spartacus Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:21 PM

The qualification for deeds like this is (a) it is done with full support of the Railway Employees (b) all need to be Sinhalese (c) all their origins need to be of a bastard nature.

Ronnie Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:28 PM

This is nothing some even rob live cable's crooks in lanka so deadly surf

Crooks Galore Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:40 PM

There must be inside people to help to rob such things.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 20 April 2024 08:57 PM

Do you know that one former Minister got recently electricuted when trying to steal electricity.

Adwani Sunday, 21 April 2024 06:32 AM

"As only individuals familiar with such technology would be able to dismantle the cables" Those individuals could be from the Repair and Maintenance gangs???? Similar incidents too took place before by those familiar with Repairs. Even the CTB too suffered the same looting by the R

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Electric Cables worth Rs.10 million chipped away from train parked at Hikkaduwa

Comments - 24

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