Driver, conductor sentenced to death over Yangalmodara accident

The driver and conductor of the bus which was involved in the accident at the Yangalmodara railway crossing claiming the lives of 40 people, were sentenced to death by the Kurunegala High Court Friday. A bus-train collision on April 25, 2005 at a level crossing at Yangalmodara, Alawwa saw 40 passengers being killed and injuring more than 35, one of the most tragic motor accidents in the history of the country.

The Attorney General had filed a case with 152 charges against driver and conductor of the bus which was involved in the accident.

High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando ruled that the accident was caused due to reckless driving, when the case was taken up Friday, and sentenced the driver and conductor to death.  

A Colombo-bound private bus from Galkiriyagama collided with an inter-city express train running from Colombo to Kandy.

The bus was pulled by the train nearly 75 metres before bursting into flames. Thirty-five passengers of the bus reportedly died on the spot.