Accidents at railway crossings

Accidents at rail crossings in the island have caused loss of 44 lives while injuring another 26 during the period January 1 to July 4, the latest incident being the death of a husband and wife at the Bogahawatiya rail crossing on Tuesday, Police Public Relations ( PPR ) Media Unit revealed.

Of the deceased, 36 are men and 8 are women. Three persons died at unprotected level crossings at Gunasekara Mawatha, Kamburugamuwa and Ganegoda, Mirigama.

Carelessness of passengers, motorcycle riders, three wheeler and motor car drivers caused many people to lose their lives and get injured.

The PPR unit requests the public and drivers to follow road rules and road signs, especially traffic lights and be cautious when crossing railway lines, whether protected or not.

Investigations revealed alarm signals at railway crossings were not audible to commuters or drivers due to the loud music played in vehicles.

The police request drivers to reduce the sound volume near railway crossings.

Fraudulent agencies

The PPR unit warns the public to be aware of fraudulent agencies which cheat money from people on the pretext of promising jobs abroad, especially in the Middle East.

Those seeking overseas employment should consult agencies registered with the Foreign Employment Bureau.

Crimes in rented vehicles

Police revealed vehicles hired from vehicle rent services are being used to commit crimes, including burglaries and kidnappings. Two such occasions were the robberies carried out in Mawanella by a group who posed as police officers; and the accident at Kochchikade where two persons were killed. The three parties in the renting of vehicles, the consumer, renter and owner of the vehicle are bound with a responsibility, police highlighted.

Police warn vehicle rent services to rent vehicles to only those who possess a valid driving licence and be aware of their identity. If investigations reveal that a rented car has been used in a crime, the person who rented the vehicle can also be charged, police said.

Couple hit by train

A husband and wife died when they were hit by a train at Bogahawetiya rail crossing in Chilaw on Tuesday.

They were on their motorcycle when they collided with the Chilaw bound Puttalam train.

The victims were 52-year-old W D Laus Fonseka and P Chandralatha of Nalladarankattuwa.

Marawil Police are investigating.

Elephant attack

A 46-year-old person, D M Karunaratne of Pothanegama, died in an elephant attack in Ulukkulama, Weerawewa, Anuradhapura on Tuesday. Anuradhapura Police are investigating.

Fisherman missing

Tangalle Police commenced investigations into a fisherman, 60-year-old H G B Siripala of Kudawella, who went missing when his canoe was wrecked due to bad weather in the southern sea.

The victim had gone fishing with another fisherman from the Kudawella fishing harbour in a motor powered canoe on Monday.

The other fisherman managed to save his life with the support of another boat.

Hand grenades found

Two hand grenades were found in a pile of sand in a land in Ukuwela on Tuesday.

The Army bomb disposal unit arrived at the land when the resident informed the Matale Police about a grenade found in his land.

The unit after investigating, found another grenade hidden in the sand at the same location.

Matale Police are investigating.

Lead sold as gold

Three persons who sold painted lead pieces as gold at Rs 200,000 were arrested by the Matale Police on Tuesday.

The suspects sold 574 pieces of lead weighing 1.22 kg painted to look like genuine gold to a resident in Modara, Colombo.

The person after realizing the stock was fake, lodged a complaint with the Alawatugoda Police.

Investigations led to seize two SIM cards, five mobile phones, a pan used to melt the lead and gold paint sprayers from the suspects' possession. They were produced before the Kandy magistrate.

Two drown at sea

Two persons drowned on Poya day while bathing.

One of them drowned at the Mount Lavinia beach. Police said the victim, 21-year-old Chandramohan, was wearing trousers when the Police found his body. He had a beard, 5'5" tall and was medium build, Police said.

The other person, 19-year-old W A M Suranjith Wejesinghe, drowned at the beach near Kurupaliya in Marawila on the same day.

He was drowned while swimming with a group of friends.