The Night Mail train en route from Colombo to Trincomalee derailed early this morning (17) near the 151st milepost in Kithuluthuwa after striking a wild elephant.
The elephant died at the scene.
Reports indicate the train left the tracks after the locomotive hit the animal, with parts of its limbs becoming trapped in the engine.
Wildlife officials said the elephant had been moving from the Kaudulla Reserve to the Somawathiya Reserve at the time of the collision. (Newswire)