Wanawasala derailment: Signal system alone suffers loss of over Rs. 2 Mn in damages

• Derailment occurred Saturday morning when a train travelling from Polgahawela to Colombo derailed between Kelaniya and Wanawasala stations, injuring at least 12 passengers and overturning one carriage

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The Sri Lanka Railway Department said it has suffered significant financial losses following the Wanawasala train derailment, which officials say was triggered by the deliberate removal of critical track and signalling components.   

Chief Engineer Chinthaka Jayasekara said the derailment occurred on Saturday morning (16) when a train travelling from Polgahawela to Colombo derailed between Kelaniya and Wanawasala stations, injuring at least 12 passengers and overturning one carriage.   

He said he personally inspected the site shortly after the incident, which took place around 6.30 a.m., and found that key components had been removed from a specialised track diversion near Wanawasala Railway Station linked to a waste recycling facility. The system, he explained, is designed to operate under centralised control through the Train Control Room due to its connection with the main line.   

According to him, the removal of essential interlocking and sensor components disrupted the coordination between the track and signalling system. As a result, the rails failed to align correctly when the train passed, causing parts of the train to divert onto different tracks and leading to the derailment.   

Jayasekara said that while the stolen parts were of relatively low value, the damage caused to the infrastructure is substantial. He said that the Railway Signalling Department alone has incurred losses exceeding Rs. 2 million, with reconstruction and system upgrades now underway to restore operations.   

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Western Province North, Kalinga Jayasinghe, said the dismantled railway components were sold for around Rs. 3,000. He said police have traced and arrested the buyer, following the interrogation of the main suspect believed to have removed bolts and track components.   The DIG said the main suspect, a 25-year-old drug addict, was initially arrested in connection with the incident, and further investigations are ongoing. He added that those involved will face strict legal action not only for theft and damage to public property but also for their role in causing the derailment and endangering passenger lives.