Four remanded further over Nuwara Eliya physiotherapist's murder

Four suspects held in connection with the murder of a physiotherapist in the Central Province have been further remanded, with the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court extending their custody until July 30.

The victim, a physiotherapist, was found dead inside a car abandoned near the Teldeniya Hospital in June. Police investigations, aided by CCTV footage, indicated that the main suspect had moved the body from a lodge in Nuwara Eliya before it was left in the vehicle at Teldeniya. A magistrate’s inquest earlier ruled the death a homicide.

Those in custody include the 43-year-old main suspect — reported to be the victim’s partner — and his 35-year-old wife, both residents of the Kandy district, who were arrested while travelling by bus in Chavakachcheri, Jaffna. Also remanded are a driver attached to the Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha and a former Officer-in-Charge of the Menikhinna Police, a Chief Inspector of Police.

The suspects were produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court by prison officials, and after considering the facts presented, the court ordered that they remain in remand custody until July 30. Police investigations into the killing are continuing.

Update: remanded until August 3

July 30: All four suspects were further remanded until August 3 when the case was recalled before Nuwara Eliya Magistrate Pushpika Jayadasa.

Fresh detail emerged in the latest reports. The victim was a 33-year-old physiotherapist attached to the Ampara Hospital, and a postmortem examination confirmed the death was a homicide caused by strangulation. Her body was found inside a car in Teldeniya on June 17.

Ada Derana reported that the four held are the 43-year-old main suspect, described as the victim’s boyfriend, his 35-year-old wife, a driver attached to the Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha and a police inspector from the Kundasale Police Training College. The couple were arrested on June 24 by officers of the Walana Central Anti Vice Striking Force while travelling by bus in Chavakachcheri, Jaffna.

Accounts of the suspects’ home area differ between reports — Ada Derana’s latest describes the main suspect as a resident of Narammala while also placing the couple at Kosgolla, Horombawa; earlier reporting located them in the Kandy district. NewsFirst described the victim as a resident of Weligama.