By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Thefts of iron rods and iron nails at Dematagoda and Ratmalana railway yards and bridges are rampant at present and the assistance of the STF will be sought to provide security to these places, Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday.

 He told Parliament that organised thefts have increased recently where railway security personnel and police have not been able to control the situation and hence STF assistance needs to be sought to control the situation.

The Minister said stealing iron rods on railway tracks could even result in derailments and cause disastrous situations.

Responding to a question by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara on the removal of nuts and bolts from the New Kelani Bridge, the Minister said police and CID were conducting an investigation into the incidents.

He said a complete report of the statistics on stolen items and their costs would be submitted to Parliament soon.