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Mystery deepens over Dinesh Schaffter death
Criminal investigators have begun looking for a motive and suspects after a majority opinion of forensic experts ruled that the death of corporate executive Dinseh Schaffter was a murder and not suicide.
Four of the five experts had said that Schaffter died in December 2022 following “pressure applied to his neck and face.” The dissenting opinion was that it was a “complex suicide” committed by ingesting cyanide while trying to make the death look like murder.
“The circumstantial evidence, the timeline last events, observations of first autopsy and second autopsy findings are indicative of ‘complex suicide,’” the Judicial Medical Officer of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Dr. R. P. Ruwanpura said.
He noted a “probable attempt to mimic homicidal circumstances,” to mask the suicide and distract the investigators, a line that is rejected by the three academics – professors Asela Mendis of Colombo University, U. C. P. Perera of Ruhuna and D. M. G. Fernando of Peradeniya.
Former JMO of the Kandy Hospital, Dr. M. Sivasubramaniam, also agreed with the majority opinion. The majority disagreed with the findings of Dr. Ruwanpura that cyanide poisoning caused the death. The majority held that the victim died of asphyxiation.
“The level of cyanide detected in blood taken from the blood vessel is less than the fatal level,” according to the majority opinion. “Therefore, it is not possible to attribute the death to cyanide. It is also not possible to postulate the degree of contribution of this non-fatal level of cyanide in blood to the death.”
Dr. Ruwanpura noted that blood samples had been tested seven days later and that was the reason to show a lower level of cyanide. He also notes that lesions (marks) Schaffter’s neck and face were due to attempts at the hospital to resuscitate him, due to two autopsies, embalming and decomposition and not fatal injuries.
Although there was such a divergence of expert opinion, Additional Colombo magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya ruled that there were reasonable grounds to rule the death as a murder and asked the police to investigate and arrest suspects and produce them before her.
Police said they were consulting the Attorney General for new direction in the case which they had earlier considered a suicide after failing to establish a credible motive or suspects.
“We must look at this case a fresh. We can’t exclude an insurance angle. The new investigation would focus on the kind of coverage the victim had, who would be the beneficiaries. Who would have a motive to murder,” a senior investigator said.
Several of Schaffter’s business associates have already been interviewed by investigators. A former cricket commentator and media personality Brian Thomas who is said to owe a large amount of money to Schaffter had been questioned.
A phone analysis of Schaffter’s telephone and all the mobile devices that were operating at the time in the vicinity of the murder scene – Borella kanatte – failed to point to a possible suspect, according to the investigator who asked not to be named.
CCTV footage along the route he took on his final drive suggested that he travelled alone in his Toyota Camry, he said.
Following the magistrate’s ruling to issue a death certificate to the next of kin, the family issued a statement thanking those who stood by them and saying that they could now begin to mourn.The family accused unnamed officials of “prying into our lives” to push the “suicide narrative.”
“The lie was printed across headlines, whispered behind our backs, and told to our faces by heartless professionals who should, and did, know better. In the days and months following Dinesh’s death, the suicide narrative continued to be pressed on us.
“So rather than seek justice for a murder, we desperately tried to avert the injustice of an obvious lie,” they said.
The “suicide” ruling was in February after a toxicology report that showed cyanide in the stomach contents of Schaffter. Initially, the cause of death was “strangulation.”
“We are back at the beginning,” the family said in a statement posted on social media. “With the injustice of his murder a reality we can only now begin to mourn.”
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
Latest News
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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