According to Sri Lanka Railways Superintendent (Operations) Asanka Samarasinghe, the train bearing number 1507, which was operating from Polgahawela to South Kalutara, had stopped at Wanawasala Railway Station and began moving forward when it suddenly derailed. The second carriage overturned during the incident, leaving six passengers injured and causing major delays on the main railway line on the morning of May 16, 2025.
Speaking at a special media briefing held at the Ministry of Highways auditorium on May 17, 2026, Samarasinghe stated that the derailment was caused by the removal of railway track equipment at the junction connecting the main railway line to the Colombo solid waste transport route.
He further explained that two cranes were deployed to re-rail the overturned carriage and that railway authorities expected the track to be fully restored by the evening of May 17. Three individuals — including one woman and two men — remain hospitalized receiving treatment.
Samarasinghe also announced that the compensation system for railway accident victims has been revised. The previous compensation limit of Rs. 150,000 has now been increased to Rs. 1 million, while additional compensation will be provided based on the duration of hospitalization.
Chief Engineer (Signals) Chinthaka Jayasekara stated that the affected section is operated through a centralized signaling control system. Due to the removal of control and sensor components, an entirely new signaling setup would now be required. He estimated that the Signals Division alone had suffered losses amounting to nearly Rs. 2 million.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police for Western Province North Kalinga Jayasinghe confirmed that one suspect had been arrested for allegedly removing railway track components, while another had been taken into custody for purchasing and possessing the stolen items. Legal action is expected under charges related to theft, illegal possession, and the Public Property Act.
Jayasekara also revealed that prior to the accident, two major trains the Trincomalee to Colombo Fort service and the Kankesanthurai to Colombo Fort service had safely passed through the same location at speeds of nearly 80 km/h, highlighting the grave danger posed to passengers by such criminal acts.
Railway authorities urged the public to immediately report any suspicious activities near railway tracks by contacting the Railway Department’s public complaints division via hotline 1971 or informing the police.
