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Man found dead at independence square; suspected suicide

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12 June 2020 09:47 am - 29     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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-A letter purported to be a suicide note of the man found dead at Independence Square this morning, has indicated that he had taken his life due to multiple health issues. 

The body of the man was found with gunshot wounds and was identified as 63-year old Rajeewa Prabash Jayaweera.

Police found a Point 22 pistol hanging in his neck and a letter.  

In his letter, he admitted illegally purchasing the firearm to carry out this act, and stated that there were no political reasons for it. 

"I do not wish for any political connotations to be linked to my decision,” he had written. 

It was revealed that the victim is a resident of Rajagiriya who was a manager of SriLankan Airlines and also a freelance writer.

Police suspect that the victim had shot himself due to a family dispute.

They said the deceased had reportedly sent a text message to his brother last night stating that he had written him a personal letter that could be found in a passcode-protected luggage bag, along with the passcode to unlock the bag. 

The letter said that the deceased had taken his life because he didn’t want his health issues to be a burden to others, though some of those issue were surgically operable. 

The brother of the deceased had lodged an entry with the Bambalapitiya Police Station upon receiving the message, who had failed to locate the deceased last night. 

In the letter, it was mentioned that he had initially intended to do this March 27 and therefore suggested for a family dinner on Saturday, March 21. 

However, he said the curfew imposed from March 20 prevented him from doing so. 

Meanwhile, Colombo Telegraph Editor Ruvindu Kurukulasuriya in a social media post said the deceased, who had written to the website, had donated Rs.500,000 to the COVID-19 Fund and Rs.1 million to his servant. He had also bought the pistol at a price of Rs.151,500.

Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna conducted the post-mortem examination into the death and the Cinnamon Gardens Police are conducting further investigations. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

 


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  Comments - 29

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  • Detective Friday, 12 June 2020 12:16 PM

    Hung the pistol round his neck after shooting himself or the "killer" had done it?

    SL Citizen Friday, 12 June 2020 01:13 PM

    Welcome to Rajapaksha's era! It's just the start.

    Lanka Friday, 12 June 2020 03:57 PM

    A land like no other

    Sarath Dushyantha Perera Friday, 12 June 2020 04:08 PM

    Is this the journalist who wrote to the Island a few days ago on the Sri Lankan agency in Madras and Mumbai?

    Ralahamy Friday, 12 June 2020 04:17 PM

    Very elementary method, so the Police do not have look very far for murder weapon. But how did he manage to hang the pistol around his neck after shooting himself?

    Buddhist Friday, 12 June 2020 05:31 PM

    We saw this during the two terms pre 2015 when the same present government was in power! Has the white van started operating again?

    Husna Cader Friday, 12 June 2020 05:35 PM

    Welcome to the Rajapakse era, they have started again. This time victim SriLanka airlines many more to come. The dumb Srilankan's are still keeping quite. The people who elect them should know better. What are the Lankans so afraid of this land has gone to the dogs.

    RAJENDRA DE SILAV Friday, 12 June 2020 05:41 PM

    The King who revealed the air bus deal has been killed and brought to the freedom square.

    Ruwsnthika Friday, 12 June 2020 10:52 PM

    Rajendra, this is freedom Sri Lanka style. We will get to see many more in the next 4.5 years, wait and see.

    Harith Jayasinghe Friday, 12 June 2020 05:51 PM

    White vans back in town

    Shehan Friday, 12 June 2020 07:00 PM

    This is well planned murder case only. If he wants he could have suicide at his residence. Air bus deal first chapter closed.

    Lakshman Friday, 12 June 2020 07:14 PM

    How may most of you all jump into conclusions to accuse someone. You are stupid and ignorant to believe that you all who accuse the government for this, got a fried up brain with false accusations.. read and be aware of the facts before you comment please.

    Dee Friday, 12 June 2020 08:26 PM

    May his soul RIP! Some observations. a) He went to the extent of sending a code to Brother to unlock the document bag, yet the contents are circulating on social media. b) given the stated circumstances, it would have been much easier and more dignified to have committed the act at a private residence, not in a very open park. Anyway should not comment much on these matters, moving forward!

    Gos Friday, 12 June 2020 09:19 PM

    So any death anywhere, whether suicide or not is connected to Rajapaksas according to the above commentors ?? So that's how their name was pointed at all the previous deaths/murders ??? Well well well. Suppose that's Sri Lankan logic !!! No wonder SL remains a banana republic even after 70yrs of independence from the imperialists

    Sumi Friday, 12 June 2020 09:42 PM

    Facts matter not your opinion!

    dickie bird Friday, 12 June 2020 10:30 PM

    Let his Brother and the three Sisters answer the critics.

    Sarathchandra Peries Friday, 12 June 2020 11:05 PM

    Comments are mainly written by those bogus individuals created by Daily Mirror. Because Daily Mirror likes to do cheap politics. Are these comments accusing the Rajapaksha family in line with your guidelines. I do not think so. These are not even in line with accepted norms of journalism. I do not think you will publish this comment. But I want you to know that people know what you are doing here.

    vis8 Saturday, 13 June 2020 12:33 AM

    Lots of bankrupt losers trying to blame this on the present regime. Ha haa.

    sumudu madushan Saturday, 13 June 2020 03:35 AM

    Thank you very much for the descriptive way of writing the article. As an individual who is suffering from depression, now I know a distinct way to kill my self one day in the future. Please stop promoting suicides if you all have any slightest idea about the importance of mental health.

    Rohan r Saturday, 13 June 2020 05:12 AM

    The Anti Rajapakse UNP clan wastes no time in accusing the Rajapakse’s for everything. So if Rajapaksha’s did this they are pretty stupid to do the following; Kill him on independence square with a shot to his head Send parting notes to wife, brother, and sisters Give Rs. 1 million to his servant. Donate Rs. 500, 000 to the cancer society Donate his suites and books to the cancer society Write in the letter that he planned to do this back in March , but couldn’t do it because of Covid. Come on UNP losers get a life

    Ahmed Junaid Saturday, 13 June 2020 05:16 AM

    I feel it is ridiculous to keep blaming the Rajapakses for all the negative things that are happening during their rule.Give them some credit for what they have done for the country. I guess most of the stupid accusations are being made by the diaspora who make negative comments about Sri Lanka and then come for a vacation when it suits them

    Shawn Saturday, 13 June 2020 07:40 AM

    Any possibility to cover up Srilankn airline $2,million commission case, where political family seems to be involved though this look like suicide

    DillonDP Saturday, 13 June 2020 07:41 AM

    Opinions are like asswholes everyone's got one. RIP Rajeewa and may his family get the strength to walk through this time of greivenss

    kiribath Nonnis Saturday, 13 June 2020 07:52 AM

    Well, well, well, last few comments (GOS, Sarachandra etc) were made to threaten the media and to shut down free speech! Obviously the world knows who planned this! We are not fools to believe this is a suicide. We are not drinking milk from the bottle my dear! Are you in their payroll?

    Suren Saturday, 13 June 2020 09:17 AM

    Any crime committed is directed towards the Rajapakse's even before investigations begin. Disgusting!

    Noname Saturday, 13 June 2020 09:25 AM

    Sri Lanka has one of highest suicide rates in the world. These are all people who need psychiatric help. At the same time it may be appropriate to legalize euthanasia with informed consent for those who are suffering and are terminally ill. Perhaps also allow them to donate their organs where possible.

    Andrew Silva Saturday, 13 June 2020 10:07 AM

    Hope the Police and the Corona will do a through job and not be influenced by out spiders.

    Bandu Saturday, 13 June 2020 12:31 PM

    Did the Seller of the unauthorised firearm give his identity. Very unlikely as these are sold cash only. Otherwise this receipt is useless or a ruse to put of scent.

    Sarathchandra Peries Saturday, 13 June 2020 01:45 PM

    Hey Kiribath Nonis, is that your name. We are not threatening the media. Free speech does not entitle you to accuse someone with something without having any evidence. The other party can file a case for damages if you are a real person. So be brave man , accuse someone with some logic . We are not in their payroll but you and others are definitely in UNP an NGO payrolls or receive funds from diaspora. I am surprised that Daily Mirror published my comment.


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