
When considering accidents which engage trains, it was the train accident which took place in Peraliya during the Tsunami disaster that claimed most lives, and several trains were also damaged by terrorists during the 30-year war period.
The Katukurunda train accident in 1928 resulted in a large number of passengers losing their lives and many others being injured.
In the accident of 1928, two trains collided with each other in Katukurunda while both were running. The accident took place in the Katukurunda Vettumakada area of the coastal railway line and the residents of the area said that the sound of the collision of trains was heard for many miles. At that time, trains were run by steam power, and train signaling was done using the old tablet system, which is still in use between certain railway stations.
The two trains that collided were locomotives numbered 547 and 250. One of them which was supposed to run to Aluthgama, started running from Maradana and was driven by a driver named Bennett, the other train was run by a driver named Crowe from Matara to Colombo. The train which was running from Matara towards Colombo had eight passenger compartments. In addition, a fish transport wagon had also been installed to the train.
The collision took place around eight o’clock in the night on March 12, 1928, and the train running from Maradana to Aluthgama was running at an average speed of 20-25 miles per hour. The coconut cultivation was widespread in this region at that time, so the drivers of both trains were not able to see the light of each train in the dark environment. Since the train from Maradana was 18 minutes late, the two trains were scheduled to change rails at the Kalutara Railway Station, but the relevant communication was not done properly.
Bennett, the driver of the train which was running from Maradana to Aluthgama, had mistakenly understood the instructions given by the Kalutara Railway Station staff and had driven the train.
Seeing the train running without following signals, one of the staff members had run after the train waving his hat and tried to get the attention of the train guard, but failed.
Out of the two trains, the train running from Matara to Colombo suffered more damage. Both the trains were steam engines and collided with the engine section. Unfortunately, the drivers, firemen, and guards of both trains were killed in the accident. Crowe, the driver, died instantly, while Bennett remained incarcerated until the next morning. Among the 27 dead was also a couple on their way to Bentota for their honeymoon. In addition, many other passengers had sustained injuries.
There was a lot of talk all over the country about this train accident. The Ceylonese State Council , which was having limited power at that time, also came under public scrutiny due to this train accident. The colonial rulers started to investigate it and then at the request of several parties, investigations were also conducted by a group from Madras.
The Railway Passengers strongly protested against this accident and demanded justice from the colonial authorities for the passengers who died and were injured.