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Did Madura kill his wife to draw money from their joint bank accounts?The night when the murders took place Madura was observed to behave in a peculiar uneasy manner and was walking inside the house aimlessly-
The brother of the murdered wife gives evidence
The further hearing of the case of the triple murder because of an illicit love affair was heard once more last week at the magistrate Courts, Mt Lavinia last week. The brother of deceased Sachethana giving evidenced described the peculiar uneasy behaviour of Madura on the night of the incident as had been walking aimlessly inside the house. He also in his evidence spoke about the joint bank accounts of Madura and his wife had maintained where the money could only be withdrawn with both signatories. Through Police investigations revealed these facts. All bank accounts have now been blocked.
Madura’s brother in law, wife’s brother Chandana Kumar Pathirana gave evidence at the last hearing in the following manner:
“I am employed as a government pharmacist. I am the brother of deceased Sachethana Sandamalee de Silva. I came to this Hon Courts to give evidence with regard to the murders of my sister and the two little kids. On the day of the incident on 2012 December 17th I reported for duty at the hospital. After I reported for work I received a telephone call around 8.35 a.m from my deceased sister’s brother Pihibiyage Kithmini Chanaka Fernando. He conveyed to me that Madura’s house had caught fire and for me to come immediately to the Ratmalana house. I took permission from my superiors, signed off and came to the house located at Kaldemulla, Deaf and blind junction. I managed to reach the house by 8.45 a.m .When I reached the house there were many who had gathered inside the house.
As I stepped into the house my niece (Aunt’s daughter) came to me and told “all what could happen have happened.” I got very excited and ran towards the room. I saw my wife’s elder sister was lying on the bed sideways close to the body of my sister Sachethana and little away I saw the little son close to her and beyond that I saw “Sadarubaba” lying in the bed a further away. The whole room was gloomy with smoke. I thought and got confirmation that they were all burnt. The Police also had come at that time. I screamed and asked where Madura was. He asked me not to get excited; the Police are taking a statement from Madura on the other side. The person who was not known to me took me to where Madura was being questioned by the Police. I had been to this house only once. The efforts to speak to Madura proved futile. My deceased sister and the rest had occupied the front room close to the entrance to the house.
I could not speak to Madura as he was been questioned at length. I informed home about the tragic incident .I stayed there for about three hours. Yet I could not speak to Madura. Then my brother also came. We spoke to each other and walked inside the whole house. I informed my wife about the incident and went to her work at Ragama Teaching Hospital with my brother to bring her along. She too works as a Pharmacist .When I brought my wife to Madura’s house I saw Madura’s mother crying and weeping. I was initially carrying my child about 2 ½ years old. Then I kept him in Madura’s room.
I was able to speak with Madura only at 7.30 p.m. I asked him as to what had happened. He said “ I also cannot believe what had happened”. There was a certain puzzle to me. I heard from my wife that Madura had left his job. At that time I asked Madura whether you were asked to leave or whether you gave your resignation. He said he had resigned on his own but his resignation letter had not been accepted. He had worked as a Manager at reputed Brandix Company. He said he wanted to commence a textile business on his own. He had planned to export textiles.
I told why he left such a good job .He told me at the beginning it will run at a loss. But later when I get the contacts it would be profitable venture. At that time was past 7.30 pm. That night myself, Sachethana’s younger brother Kithmini Chanaka Fernando, my nephew ( Aunt’s son), Madura’s mother, in all about eight persons were breaking rest the whole night. Madura’s mother was crying while she was seated in on the settee in the drawing room. Madura from time to time was going to his room to have a small nap and was coming and going. His room was inside beyond the dining room on the left hand side of the house. We kept a close eye on Madura as he was worried. At around 5 a.m he came out and went close to his mother and cried. He was also walking aimlessly inside the house. His behaviour was somewhat peculiar and suspicious. As he was worried we were keeping an eye on him.
A little while later Madura requested Sachethana’s brother to come to his room. They had a chat for about five minutes; I did not ask what was discussed. There was another query that arose. Initially I thought as I am also a hospital employee should also go for the post mortem .But instead of taking me and Kithruwan for the post mortem Madura and his family members went for the post mortem to the Kalubowila Hospital. This arose some suspicion in me. I called brother Kithruwan to a side that if I also accompany I may be able to get some help. Then Kithruwan told me that if necessary he will give me a call. Madura’s brother had arranged transport fro them to go to the Kalubowila hospital .When they went for the most mortem Kithruwan telephoned me. I came to Madura’s home and proceeded to kalubowila hospital.
At the mortuary the bodies were identified.At the time of identifying the bodies Madura, his brother, kithruwan, I and a friend of Madura. At that time Madura who was tired said what is the delay and he went into the car to sit and wait. I clearly felt that he was feeling uneasy. Kithruwan also went into the car. Later Madura was taken to the Police station to take a statement. At that moment a Police officer came to us and told that according to the situation here we cannot hand over the bodies to Madura. He said the bodies should be taken over by a party related to the deceased persons and wanted us to take a court order. It was me and by brother who had to take the court order. As the time had passed we had to wait until the next day to obtain a court order to claim the dead bodies.
That day we too went to the police station. We were all in a confused state of mind. The OIC of the Police station told us that through investigations they have already come to a conclusion that this is not a case been burnt, this is a murder and we suspect Madura as the murderer. Hence you better take the bodies and make arrangements for the funerals. Then only we consented and decided to take over the bodies.
The Police questioned me as to whether the so called Madura is inside the courts. I said yes. He is in the witness box. I can identify him. Earlier it was Madura who had undertaken to shoulder the work of the funeral arrangements .But later on when he was suspected as the murderer that task was entrusted to me and the rest. From this incident three persons had died. Only on the following day only we came to know it was a murder. The judiciary Medical officer asked whether I am employee of the health services. He told me that all deaths had been made by strangulation. In the reports he had stated as death were owing to breaking the bones in the neck and strangulation. Then only I came to know it had been murders as the cause of deaths.
We knew Madura as the only child in the family. When his mother made a statement that with permission he had been adopted as a son as they did not have children. We never suspected Madura for any ill treatment. They were living very happily without any conflicts. He loved his wife and children. He led a very sedate life. I have asked my wife as to why Madura does not move and associate with us as a brother in law. But he was close to our family ad used to give calls and speak. Madura and his deceased wife had even planned to buy a plot of land and have had discussions in this regard.”
Ranjit Sepala Dahanayake had appeared for the defendant. The suspect has had individual bank accounts as well as joint accounts. Still details of these accounts have not been found properly. But the bank managers have been requested to block all bank accounts .For this request the Lady Magistrate had told the Police to obtain permission from her with details along with a ‘B’ report. The Magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded till the 30th of this month.
Newspaper Article by Nimanthi Ransinghe/P Ariyaratna of Ratmalana
Earlier updates could be read from HERE:
1 Ratmalana triple murder updates 7
2 Ratmalana triple murder updates 6
3 Ratmalana triple murder updates 5
4Ratmalana triple murder updates 4
5Ratmalana triple murder updates 3
6Ratmalana triple murder updates 2