Businessman, accomplice arrested over gruesome murder of woman

Two suspects, including the main suspect who is a businessman, wanted in connection with the murder of a woman whose decapitated and dismembered body was found on the banks of the Kelani River in the Siyamabalape area, have been arrested.

Police said the suspects were arrested after they surrendered to the Sapugaskanda Police along with their lawyers.

The police initiated investigations after the body of a 51-year-old woman, T.G. Pradeepa, who had been reported missing since September 27, was discovered by the police on September 28, on the banks of the Kelani River. 

The deceased was found decapitated and dismembered. The victim's daughter had lodged a complaint with the Mulleriyawa Police on September 27, stating that her mother had gone missing. The woman's body was recovered on the banks of the Kelani River, nearly one metre away from the suspect’s residence the following day.

Police said a three-wheeler, allegedly used to transport the body, was also taken into custody.

They identified the main suspect in the murder case as a 53-year-old businessman from Siyamabalape. The second suspect, a 48-year-old, had allegedly assisted the main suspect in dismembering the victim’s body.

CCTV footage obtained during the investigations revealed that the deceased had met the main suspect outside a restaurant in Kaduwela town, after which the two had left in his car.

It was reported that the main suspect had been in a close relationship with the victim woman for approximately 20 years.

Investigations have revealed that the two had a dispute over a money-related issue, and bloodstains, strands of hair, and shreds of women’s clothing were found at the suspect’s abandoned house in Siyambalape.

Earlier, the police had also obtained an overseas travel ban on the suspect. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)