Two schoolgirls reported missing after attending tuition classes in Badulla on Sunday (20) have been located, with one of the girls found deceased in the Loggal Oya in Mahiyanganaya, and the other currently in the custody of the Ridimaliyadda Police station, according to the police.
The two missing girls, aged 17, have been identified as Thilini Upeksha and Bhashika Prabodhya, residents of Aluthgedara, Ilukkandegedara in Badulla. Their parents had filed a missing person’s report at around 6:00 p.m., on the same day, after the girls had not returned home from their morning tuition classes in Badulla town.
Later Sunday night, a motorcyclist travelling along the road near Loggal Oya in the direction of Mahiyanganaya saw a young girl standing by the side of the road. The girl stopped the motorcyclist and requested the rider to take her to another bus stop, stating that buses do not stop at that location.
Suspicious of her behaviour, the motorcyclist offered to take her to the Ridimaliyadda with the hope of handing her over to the police. While en route, the motorcyclist explained the situation to two officers from the Ridimaliyadda traffic division whom he met at the Adaulpotha junction, who then took custody of the girl.
According to the police, Ridimaliyadda Police Station OIC Prasanna S.R. Weerakoon arrived and took the girl to the station. Upon questioning, the girl initially did not disclose much due to severe emotional distress, and for her safety, she was kept in police custody.
During further questioning yesterday morning (21), the girl revealed that both she and her friend Thilini Upeksha had studied at Kandagederra Central College, passed their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams, and were attending tuition classes in Badulla in preparation for their Advanced Level (A/L) studies. She also mentioned that after attending the tuition classes on the 20th, they had decided not to return home and even left a letter asking their parents not to search for them.
According to her statement, Thilini Upeksha had committed suicide by jumping to Loggal Oya. However, the surviving girl said she did not know whether Thilini had indeed drowned.
After informing the Mahiyanganaya police, the Ridimaliyadda police carried out an investigation in the area this morning (21), where they found the body of the drowned girl in the reservoir, confirming that she was no longer alive.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Wasantha Kandewatte, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) J.W.S.P. Palipana of Mahiyanganaya, along with Ridimaliyadda Police OIC Chief Inspector S.R. Weerakoon and Mahiyanganaya Acting OIC Police Inspector Chandana, are conducting further investigations into this incident, according to the police.
The post Two missing schoolgirls in Badulla located, but one drowned and one in distressed state appeared first on DailyNews.