News
Police still awaiting Govt. Analyst’s report to unravel mystery behind Dutch monk’s death
by Suresh Perera
Police investigators are still awaiting the Government Analyst’s report to unravel the mystery behind the suspicious death of the Dutch monk, who was residing at the Dodanduwa Polgasduwa island monastery.
After the body of Ven. Olande Jinawansa thera was fished out of the Ratgama lagoon on December 8, a full-scale investigation was launched with the police trying to ascertain whether the 59-year-old bhikku was killed or, as some theories suggested, committed suicide.
“We are still waiting for the findings of the Government Analyst, which will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the monk’s death”, says Senior DIG Rohan Silva in charge of the Southern province.
“Earlier, we took into custody a fisherman on suspicion as he had been fishing in the lagoon in the night at the time, but he was cleared and released after checking his mobile phone records plus verifying his statement to the police”, he said.
Divers and underwater cameras were used to trace the stone which had dislodged from one of the monk’s legs, but drew a blank as there was a thick layer of mud on the bed of the lagoon, and moreover there were many other stones of similar size and weight, the senior police official said.
“We couldn’t make much headway as a result”, he pointed out, while assuring that police investigators have followed every possible clue to establish the circumstances which led to the prelate’s death.
At the time Ven. Olande Jinawansa thera’s body was found, a stone was found tied to one of his legs, with indications that another stone similarly placed on his other leg had dislodged and probably fallen into the lagoon.
The theory that the Dutch monk took his own life gained currency after the autopsy revealed there was no water or sand in his lungs, which indicated that he had been alive at the time he was in the lagoon.
“We had to clear some doubts though preliminary investigations suggested the possibility of suicide”, Senior DIG Silva remarked.
The police are probing the bhikku’s death with an open mind, he said. “We want to get to the bottom of what transpired”.
The police and the STF have already searched the island, where the monastery is situated, plus an adjoining island, but nothing suspicious was found, the senior DIG said.
“We have also recorded the statements of scores of people, including other monks residing in the island, but there has been no indication so far that the bhikku was killed”, he added.
Known as Ven. Tone Jinawamso thera, the Dutch monk was earlier based in northern Thailand. He settled in Sri Lanka 12 years ago and was considered a loner, who kept to himself and went on pindapatha all by himself.
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics
‘Sent to be killed’: How Russia forces migrants to fight in Ukraine
Babar Azam 71* helps Peshawar Zalmi extend lead at top
Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Jerome Powell if he doesn’t leave in May
Royal Challengers Bengaluru top the table after bowlers help thump Lucknow Super Giants
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News5 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
Features5 days agoFrom Royal College Platoon to National Cadet Corps: 145 years of discipline, leadership, and modern challenges
-
Business7 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Business7 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
Latest News4 days agoPNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
-
News6 days agoAnura Solomons passes away
-
Features5 days agoCIA’s hidden weapon in Iran
-
Latest News3 days agoPrasidh, Buttler set up comfortable win for Gujarat Titans