Main suspect in Kalutara girl’s death remanded till May 26

Kalutara Chief Magistrate Hemamalee Halpandeniya ordered yesterday (12) to remand the main suspect who was arrested by the Kalutara South Police and presented to the court in connection with the death of the 16-year-old schoolgirl who fell from a five-storey building in Kalutara until May 26.

Dhanushka Gayan Sahabandu, resident of No. 63, Isuru Uyana, Kalutara South, was remanded in this regard. The suspect was arrested in connection with the death of Tihara Nirmani, a resident of 115, Nagoda, Kalutara, who was found lying on the railway track behind the Sicilian Walk Hotel at No. 402, Main Street, Kalutara, and he was produced before the Kalutara Chief Magistrate on the 10th and remanded for 48 hours. After questioning, he was presented to the court.

Attorney Sarath Karavita told Court that the police had taken into custody 94,000 rupees, bank cards and house keys belonging to the suspect. He further said that the dogs kept in the house are also in hunger. Therefore, he requested court to order the police to hand over the said items to the suspect.

Police Inspector Dhammika De Silva mentioned that before the suspect was produced before Court, he had handed over 94,000 rupees, bank cards and the house key to the suspect in front of his wife.

The defence lawyer told the court that the police had so far failed to find out who made the last phone call to the dead girl and requested that the suspect be given special security in the prison as he was suffering from heart disease.

The Chief Magistrate stated that it is the responsibility of the prison to provide security to the suspect, and it was not the responsibility of court.

Sub-inspector K.N.A.G.D. Bandara said that teeth marks were observed on the girl’s leg and breast, and urged court to direct a forensic doctor to check if it was the teeth marks of the suspect. The magistrate further ordered that the suspect be produced before a forensic doctor on May 16, 2023.

At the time of the hearing of the case, the Homicide Investigation Department of the Criminal Investigation Department was present in the courtroom, and it was stated in the court that further investigations regarding the girl’s death will be conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department.

Police Inspector Dhammika De Silva, Sub-Inspector K.N.A.G.D. Bandara and Sergeant Jagath Siriwardena (41055) reported the facts to the court regarding the incident. Police Inspectors Polwatta and Medagama of the Homicide Investigation Division appeared on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department. The case is scheduled to be called again on May 26. A group of officers from the Kalutara South Police brought the suspect to court with strict security.