A comprehensive police investigation has led to multiple arrests in connection with the murder of a 34-year-old physiotherapist from Ampara General Hospital. The victim, identified as Shamya Darshani, was found deceased inside a parked car near Teldeniya Hospital on June 17th. Authorities have confirmed her death was a homicide by strangulation, which reportedly occurred inside a tourist hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
The prime suspect, 43-year-old Champika Sriyan Jayasundara, believed to be the victim's boyfriend and a resident of Narammala, was apprehended in Jaffna on June 24th. Jayasundara, who has a history of over 20 corruption and fraud cases, was arrested along with his 35-year-old wife, Nethmi Amaya Rathnayaka, and their child. The couple was tracked via GPS on a luxury bus, traveling disguised from Wellawatte to the Chavakachcheri Kaithady area of Jaffna, where they were apprehended by a joint operation involving the Police Criminal Investigations Department, the Walana Corruption Eradication Unit, and Nuwara Eliya Police.
Investigators allege that Jayasundara knew the victim and personally transported her body after the murder. An overseas travel ban had been issued against him prior to his arrest.
Following their apprehension, the main suspect, his wife, and child were handed over to Nuwara Eliya Police for further investigation. On June 25th, they were produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate's Court, presided over by Magistrate Buddhika Harshani Dharmadasa, who granted a 48-hour detention order for further questioning.
In a related development, a driver for the Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha, residing in Pallekele, was also arrested for allegedly aiding the main suspect and his wife by providing accommodation and assisting in concealing the body. He too was granted a 48-hour detention order by the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate's Court.
The investigation expanded further with the arrest of the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kundasale Police Training School by Nuwara Eliya Police. The OIC is accused of aiding and abetting the main suspect, Champika Sriyan Jayasundara, by harbouring him and helping him evade the law. This arrest was reportedly made based on statements provided by the main suspect and his wife.