A train without passengers, which was running from Jaffna to Colombo, collided with a rail wagon loaded with rails at Anuradhapura.
The accident took place in Saliyapura area yesterday morning.
Anuradhapura Police say that the train engine has been severely damaged in this accident and the newly constructed railway line has also been damaged.
A stack of rail tracks cut into pieces was found in the rail wagon that met with the accident.
Investigations have revealed that during the modernization of the railway line, the old rails were removed and left on both sides of the railway line, and some people cut the rails and put them in a rail wagon, stealing them when the rail wagon collided with the train.
A senior police officer said this train was not running on the usual schedule at the time, and the accident occurred when the people involved in the theft were carrying rails in the rail wagon without knowing about it.
The police have also found oxygen cylinders and equipment used to cut the rails in a nearby place.
There is a suspicion that the railway employees may also be involved in this theft.
