Nirodha Nipunhella murdered in the UK: 'I killed my wife,' husband Thisara admits

The former husband of a 32-year-old Sri Lankan woman, who was brutally murdered in Cardiff, United Kingdom, has pleaded guilty in court to her killing. Nirodha Niyunhella's body, which had been stabbed to death with sharp weapons, was found between two cars in the Riverside area of Cardiff on August 21 last year.

It has now been revealed that after problems arose between the married couple, they had been living separately, and the husband ambushed her on her way to work and committed the murder. Her demise was a deeply shocking event for her family members in Sri Lanka as well as her friends in Britain. When her former husband, 37-year-old Thisara Weragala, who had been arrested in connection with the murder, was presented before the Newport Crown Court, he officially admitted to committing the murder.

The murdered Nirodha Niyunhella was known among her acquaintances as a pleasant young woman with long black hair and a constant smile. Her smiling photograph perfectly depicts the carefree nature of her life. However, that beautiful life unfortunately ended between two parked cars on a street in Cardiff, Britain. Paramedics who arrived at the scene confirmed that she had died at the location. Subsequent post-mortem examination reports revealed that her death was caused by severe injuries from being struck with a sharp weapon in several places on her body.

Nirodha's former husband, Thisara Weragala, was seen being brought to court in a grey sweatsuit, handcuffed and under police escort. On a previous occasion, he had admitted to possessing a sharp weapon or bladed instrument, but initially denied the murder charge. However, in the recent trial, he pleaded guilty to the murder charge. Following this confession, the judge ordered him to be remanded in custody until February 20, when his sentence is expected to be pronounced.

According to facts revealed at the inquest held at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court, Nirodha's body was found lying on the ground between two vehicles in South Morgan Place. Severe injuries were observed on her body, and she was identified by a friend. Coroner Patricia Morgan announced that the inquest would be adjourned until the conclusion of the criminal trial. Police investigations revealed that the suspect, Thisara Weragala, and the deceased, Nirodha, knew each other well, but at the time of the incident, they were living in separate areas of Cardiff. Thisara Weragala resided in Pentwyn, while Nirodha lived in a different area.

The loss of Nirodha Niyunhella has brought unbearable grief to her family. A heartfelt statement released by her family members describes Nirodha as "a beloved daughter, a family member, and the best friend to many." They say her memory will always be cherished with peace, love, and gratitude. "She touched many lives with her kindness and warm heart. Her memory will always be an inspiration to us. Although her life ended prematurely, the love she shared will always remain with us. Dear angel, may you attain Nibbana (eternal peace)," the family statement reads.

Before this tragedy, Nirodha's life flowed very peacefully. She received her primary education from Swarnapali Balika Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura, and later entered Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha, for her Advanced Level education, where she was a bright student. According to her mother, they initially resided in Anuradhapura and moved to the Veyangoda area in 2010. As the only child in the family, Nirodha grew up amidst the immense love of her parents. She married Thisara Weragala in 2017, and in 2022, she left for Britain with him for Thisara's higher education. There, Thisara lived as a student, and Nirodha as his dependent.

On the morning of the incident, Nirodha had left home for work as usual around 7:30 AM. As she was a very organized and punctual person, she had made it a habit to call her mother almost daily. However, tragically, on August 21, her mother did not receive a call from her. Speaking to BBC Sinhala Service about this, Nirodha's mother stated that her child did not call that day, and despite her continuously sending messages, there was no response. "She usually calls around 12:30 PM. She didn't call that day. I only found out when my husband came running home in the evening," she said, weeping. She further added that the pain of losing her only child is indescribable.

Following Nirodha's demise, her school friends and acquaintances expressed their sorrow on social media. Shashini Herath, a childhood friend, posted a heartfelt note on her Facebook account, stating that she had traveled a thousand miles to meet Nirodha two weeks prior. "We laughed, talked for hours, and relived childhood memories. I never thought it would be our last meeting," she wrote. Another friend, Dinindu Roshan, mentioned that Nirodha was a constant source of strength for him. The brutal murder of such a beloved person has been an unbelievable fact for many.

The South Wales Police, who led the investigation into Nirodha's murder, worked to strengthen the case by collecting numerous pieces of evidence, including details about the Ford Fiesta car and CCTV footage related to the time of the incident. Although the suspect initially claimed innocence, the strength of the evidence and investigations presented by the police ultimately compelled him to plead guilty. Her demise has caused great shock not only to the Sri Lankan community but also to the residents of the area in Cardiff where she lived.

At the conclusion of the judicial process, the final sentence against Thisara Weragala is expected to be pronounced on February 20. He is anticipated to receive a life sentence. Nirodha Niyunhella's unfortunate fate has revealed a harsh reality to society regarding conflicts within Sri Lankan families living abroad and how they can escalate into tragedies. According to her family, Nirodha was an innocent young woman who dreamed of succeeding in life and caused no trouble to others. Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of all who loved her.