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Spate of brutal murders shocks community
View(s):Negative political and media influences could be bucking a trend in serious crime, says former IGP. Chamal Weerakkody reports
A string of brutal murders in recent weeks has sent shock waves through the community, with many wondering what the authorities are doing about checking the steadily rising crime rate. On Wednesday, February 27, the bodies of a father, mother and an eight-month infant were found in a house at Sagara Mawatha, Panadura. The father was found hanging from a beam, and the bodies of the mother and infant bore knife injuries. The Police are trying to decide whether this is a case of triple homicide or double homicide and suicide. The adult victims are Niroshan Indika, 42 years, retired from the Navy, and Shirani Padmalatha, 41. Police found a knife in the toilet of the house. The bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition.
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 The spot where Dineshika was brutally attacked in her home and (above) the shed in which the suspect had hidden and waited for an opportune moment. Pix by Susantha Liyanawatte |
 Panadura: Three bodies in an advanced state of decomposition were found in this house. Pic by Reka Tharangani |
Earlier last month, a Buddhist monk was hacked to death on the premises of a temple in the neighbourhood. The body of the Ven. Matigahatanne Wimalawansa Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Egoda Uyana Sunanda Upananda temple, had 193 knife injuries. Two persons believed to have been involved in the murder were killed shortly after by an unidentified gang. Moratuwa Deputy Mayor (UPFA) Sujith Pushpakumara and nine other suspects have been remanded until March 14 by the Moratuwa Additional Magistrate Ms. Purnima Paranagama.
Last week, a 16-year-old girl from Asweddumam, Kimbulapitiya was stabbed and beaten to death. Family members said Dineshika Madurangi Fernando had refused to begin a relationship with the alleged killer, Madusanka Perera, a 22-year-old from Kalthota, Balangoda. According to the Police, the suspect had hidden in a shed behind the house and waited till the older members of the family had left for work. The victim was stabbed five times and her head smashed in with a seven-and-a-half kilo block of concrete. Neighbours helped the Police to apprehend the suspect. The girl succumbed to her injuries as she was being rushed to hospital.
P. Anthony Patrick Fernando told the Police that his daughter was waiting for her GCE Ordinary Level results, and that she had been outstanding in both studies and sports.
Commenting on the rising crime rate, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Indra de Silva, told the Sunday Times that political and media influences have set trends in serious crime. “The influence of people in power in state and non-state sectors are responsible for the current level of lawlessness and the spate of grave crime,” Mr. de Silva said.
Police spokesman and Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Siriwardane told the Sunday Times that the Police are taking preventive measures to counter grave crime.
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