– A suspect has been arrested in connection with the train derailment near Wanawasala after investigations revealed that metal components had allegedly been removed from a railway switch point, railway authorities and Police said.

According to the Railway Department, preliminary investigations indicate that metal plates used at a switch point to guide trains between tracks had been removed, either as an act of sabotage or for theft.

Authorities said the removal of the plates had allegedly caused the switch point to become unstable, resulting in the front section of the train remaining on the main railway line while the rear coaches diverted onto a separate track leading to a solid waste site. As a result, one carriage overturned across both railway tracks.

A complaint has been lodged with Police, and a special Police team conducted a site inspection as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police said that the suspect, arrested by Peliyagoda Police, is a drug addict and is believed to have transported the removed railway components to another location. Investigations are continuing to apprehend another suspect believed to be connected to the incident.

Meanwhile, twelve passengers sustained minor injuries in the derailment and were admitted to nearby hospitals for treatment.