Twelve children were injured when a train collided with a bus at a railway crossing in Koggala, within the Habaraduwa Police Division, yesterday (25), with nine receiving treatment at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, according to the Police Media Division.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, the Division stated three of the injured children had since been discharged from Hospital, while the remaining nine were receiving treatment.

The train, travelling from Beliatta to Maradana, struck the rear of the bus. Initial investigations found that the bus was carrying 41 children, 14 tuition teachers and six parents from Kottawa. The group was returning from a visit to the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum in Koggala, and the children were aged 14 and 15.

Police stated the bus driver and conductor have been arrested, and Habaraduwa Police were conducting further investigation.

The crossing had no protective gate, but was equipped with an electronic light and bell system to warn road users of approaching trains.

Karapitiya Hospital Deputy Director General Dr. Priyantha Atapattu said injured children had been admitted to the hospital. "One child, aged around 14, has suffered internal bleeding and undergone emergency surgery. Another is in a relatively serious but not critical condition. Based on the examinations completed at the time, the other children are not in critical condition, he said.

Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association General Secretary Kasun Chamara Jayasekara told The Daily Morning that the crossing near the Museum was among more than 400 unprotected railway crossings in the country.

Attempts to reach Railway General Manager Ravindra Padmapriya for comment on what action would be taken regarding these crossings were unsuccessful.