COLOMBO: A powerful explosion ripped through a railway track just outside the Sri Lankan capital on Wednesday causing disruption to commuter services, police said.

Police said there were no casualties following the blast at Mount Lavinia, but the Colombo-bound track was damaged and train services were suspended pending investigation.

“Fortunately there was no train passing at the time,” a police official at the scene said. “A part of the track was ripped off and we need to check for any more damage to the track.”

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but police said they were investigating the involvement of Tamil Tiger rebels who are facing a major military offensive against them in the north of the island.—AFP