News
Police suspect foul play over death of retired teacher living alone
By Norman Palihawadane
The Cinnamon Gardens police investigating into the recent mysterious death of a retired music teacher, residing alone in her luxury house, have shifted their focus toward treating the incident as a potential case of murder.
Police said that the Judicial Medical Officer who examined the body of the 75-year-old retired teacher, who lived at Wijerama Road, Colombo 07, had observed some evidence that death was caused by strangulation and given an open verdict, ordering some body parts be referred to the Government Analyst for further inspection to obtain scientific evidence.
In addition to the police investigation, the Colombo South Criminal Investigation Unit has commenced another probe.
A senior officer said that the deceased had been identified as Mithrani Fernando Smith. She was originally from Kolonna but lived in the house at Colombo 07 since her marriage to her husband who had been a businessman. After her husband’s death, two years back, she had lived there alone. As per the preliminary investigations the death occurred on 15 Dec.
Police were informed of the death by the victim’s younger brother’s son who is an engineer by profession. He, who is a resident of Moratuwa, usually parks his car at the victim’s house. When he came there on 15 Dec.,, he found that the doors were open and electricity was disconnected. He informed the police on 119. In response to the call, the Cinnamon Gardens police arrived and found the body of the victim lying on the floor and noted that there were few blood stains. Post mortem on the body found no wounds on the victim and police suspects that the blood flowed from the victim’s mouth.
A senior police officer said that it seems that someone had strangled the elderly woman to death and tried to show it off as a death caused by electrocution because closer to her body there was a floor polisher with broken wires and the trip switch of the house was off. Police collected three empty tea cups and collected their fingerprints. They also collected nine rottis that had been prepared by the victim by using the gas stove. However, the gas cylinder was missing from the house. In addition, a laptop and her mobile phone, too, were missing, police said.
It has been found that the victim had been a talented pianist and was giving private lessons to some students. The police said that they would record statements from her students. .
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 30 April 2025, valid for 01 May 2025
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.
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.
NPP, SJB and SLPP won’t have parades
The ruling party National People’s Power (NPP) will celebrate May Day at Galle Face Green in Colombo. However, the NPP wouldn’t have a parade, party sources said.
The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government in 2023 made Galle Face Green off limits for political rallies. But the incumbent government lifted the restrictions in November 2024.
The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will have its May Day rally at Talawakelle town. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2 pm with the participation of SJB’s coalition partners, including Digambaram, Mano Ganesan.
The SLPP, too, decided against having a parade this time though it will hold a rally at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda.
The SLFP will hold its May Day event at its headquarters on Darley Road.
The Navy on April 28 carried out post-event maintenance efforts at Kandy Lake, following the Siri Dalada Vandanawa.
The collaborative efforts of the officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Department of Irrigation, the Department of Archaeology and the Navy ensured the preservation of the lake’s natural beauty.
(Pic courtesy Navy media)
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.
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