DNA tests to determine identity of Raththota charred remains

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police is to conduct a DNA test to determine if the charred remains discovered from Raththota in mid-April 2021 are those of a 46-year-old businessman reported missing for over a week.

"On the 21st of April 2021, charred remains were discovered from the Raththota Police area," said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana on Monday (26). Police officers who visited the site discovered a human skull, legs, and lower parts of a body said the Police Spokesperson adding that the magisterial inquiry was conducted while the remains were moved to the mortuary of the Matale Hospital for an autopsy. The Senior Superintendent of Matale appointed two special teams to conduct further investigations. The first team is led by the OIC of the Divisional Crimes Detective Bureau of Matale and the second team is led by the OIC of the Crimes Division of the Matale Police Station. In addition, on the 23rd of April 2021, an abandoned car was traced by the Anuradhapura Police and following an investigation, it was revealed that the car belongs to an individual identified as Rajapaksa Mudiyanselage Thilak Chandana Rajapaksa of Veherayaya, Wellawaya who was reported missing. The 46-year-old businessman was operating a construction company in Mihindu Mawatha in Colombo and was also constructing new office premises in Thalahena, Thalangama. Sri Lanka Police had discovered bloodstains on the floor and walls of the Thalahena building following a search and informed the Kaduwela Magistrate of the discovery. The Judicial Medical Officer had requested Sri Lanka Police to summon the parents of the missing businessmen to the Matale Hospital to conduct DNA tests. "Police personnel from several areas are conducting investigations into these incidents," said the Police Spokesperson adding until scientific evidence is available it is impossible to confirm the identity of the deceased.