First robbery on the K’nochchi – Colombo night train

Tuesday, 01 Oct 2013

The first robbery in the Colombo bound train from Kilinochchi took place on Monday (30 September).

Rs 150,000 in cash and a large amount of jewellery had been stolen from four men who had been traveling to Colombo from Kilinochchi, sources said, and added that two other male passengers who had been sitting next to the four men had befriended them before going on to commit the robbery.

The victims are from Bogowantalawa. According to initial investigations, the two robbers had offered the victims soft drinks, which they had consumed. After a while, the four victims had felt drowsy and had fallen asleep, at which point the robbers would have relieved them of the cash and jewellery in their possession, police sources said.

Police have taken several measures to nab the suspects who had stealthily left the train. Sources also said that crimes of this nature are the regular feature on night trains, as passengers are not alert to the dangers such journeys pose. They added that the public has been warned by the police and the railway authorities on exercising caution and being alert on long journeys, especially at night as criminals are on the prowl, and grab any opportunity to commit a crime.

Sources further said, consequent to the Northern railway line extending to Kilinochchi, large numbers make use of the facility to commute between the North and Colombo, every day. (Ceylon Today Online)

Girl dies after being hit by Army bus

By Our Jaffna correspondent-Tuesday, 01 Oct 2013

A 20-year-old girl, who was knocked down by an army bus on the Kankesanthurai (KKS) road in Jaffna, died shortly after being admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The accident had occurred on Monday (30 September), at the Thattatheru junction, in close proximity to the Jaffna Hindu College on KKS road, around 9:45 p.m.

An army bus carrying officers had knocked down the victim while she was cycling with another girl sitting on the bar. The deceased had been identified as S. Deepika. The other girl who had sustained serious injuries is receiving treatment in hospital, sources said.

According to eye witnesses, the speeding army bus had been heading towards KKS, and had rammed into the victim from behind. Sources said the two girls had been returning after a tuition class.

After the autopsy was conducted at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, the body of the deceased was handed over to the family. 

The driver of the army bus has been taken into custody, sources added. The Traffic Branch of the Jaffna Police and the Military Police are conducting inquiries into the accident.

Jaffna Police point out that road traffic accidents are increasing in the North in view of the influx of vehicles that are now evident in the region. (Ceylon Today Online)