Red Cloth, Quick Thinking: How a Sri Lankan Man Stopped a Train

COLOMBO (News 1st); A potentially catastrophic train collision was narrowly avoided this morning (5) in the Moratuwa–Modara area, thanks to the swift and courageous actions of a local resident and a vigilant train driver.

At approximately 7:00 AM, Samantha Fernando, a resident of the area, discovered a broken section of railway track along the coastal line. 

Realizing the imminent danger, he rushed to the tracks and flagged down the approaching Sagarika Express, which was en route from Matara to Colombo Fort.

“An aunt told me the rail was broken. I knew an express train was due, so I grabbed a red cloth and ran to the tracks,” Fernando recounted. “I waved it frantically, and thankfully, the driver saw it and stopped in time.”

The train came to a halt near Modara, prompting authorities to temporarily close the railway line between Panadura and Moratuwa. Railway workers quickly repaired the damaged section.

However, the situation escalated when a second train, unaware of the halted Sagarika Express, began moving forward on the same track.

Despite the presence of a stationary train ahead, the signal system continued to display a green light—indicating the track was clear.

Fortunately, the driver of the second train spotted the Sagarika Express in time and executed an emergency stop, narrowly avoiding a collision.

“The signal was green, which should mean the track is clear,”said Chandana Wiyanduwa, General Secretary of the Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union. “This is a serious issue. Train drivers rely on signals, and a failure like this puts lives at risk. We’ve demanded a full review of the signal system.”

The General Manager of Railways, Dhammika Jayasundara, confirmed that the damaged rail has been repaired and a team has been appointed to investigate the signal malfunction.