Sri Lanka, May 16 -- The derailment near the Wanawasala sub-railway station today was caused by a loose track point.

The Railway Department Operating Superintendent, Asanka Samarasinghe, stated that the initial investigation indicates someone, or a group of people, intentionally or through theft, removed the track point between the solid waste processing yard and the main line.

"Near the Wanawasala sub-railway station, there is a Colombo solid waste processing yard. A railway line runs to it, but it is not active. Train number 507 derailed at that location," he said.

Operating Superintendent Asanka Samarasinghe further explained that because the point was removed and loosened, the front carriage of the train travelled on the main line ...