COLOMBO (News 1st) – Four elephants died after being struck by a train transporting fuel from Kolonnawa to Batticaloa.

Operations along the Batticaloa railway line came to a complete standstill after the train crashed into four wild elephants in Puwakpitiya, Palugaswewa this morning (September 18).

An official at the Railway Control Room confirmed that the accident had occurred in Puwakpitiya between Palugasweva and Galoya and added that as a result of the collision, the train had derailed.

Train services along the Batticaloa railway have been temporarily suspended.