Five days since Schaffter was killed - Still no suspects, Investigation reveals timeline of murder

COLOMBO (News 1st) - It's been five days since businessman Dinesh Schaffter was murdered in the populated city of Colombo, and the murder remains a mystery.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department recorded statements from eight people on Monday (19), and among them is the wife of the late Dinesh Schaffter, Tani Schaffter.

The CID also said that detectives recorded a statement from Executive Office Krish Perera, who had visited the Public Cemetery in Borella based on the information provided by Mrs Schaffter.

"Around-the-clock investigations are taking place on several leads. We have not identified a definite suspect. Detectives have not concluded their investigations to make any charges," said Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa on Tuesday (20).

The investigations carried out thus far have revealed a timeline of the murder of businessman Dinesh Schaffter.

On the day of the murder, Dinesh Schaffter had left his residence down Flower Road, Colombo at around 1:55 in the afternoon.

Investigations revealed that Dinesh Schaffter had also visited a restaurant located down Malalasekera Mawatha in Colombo for a quick meal.

It was at around 2:15 in the afternoon that Dinesh Shcaffter's wife, Tani Schaffter had sent a WhatsApp message inquiring if he would be back soon.

Moreover, Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas has revealed that at around 2:42 in the afternoon he received a WhatsApp message from Dinesh Schaffter.

This message had read something similar to "I am waiting for you"

Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas had responded that he did not understand what the message meant, and responded that there is no need to meet as he was aware of what Schaffter did to him on the 24th December.

Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas also revealed that at around 2:43 in the afternoon he received another WhatsApp Message from Dinesh Schaffter, where the latter had said he deleted all messages as requested.

Brian Thomas had responded to this by Whatsapp, questioning when did he ask Dinesh Schaffter to do so.

According to the Criminal Investigations Department, Dinesh Schaffter was already at the Public Cemetery in Borella by 2:45 in the afternoon.

Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas suspects that someone else had used Dinesh Schaffter's mobile phone to message him.

Brian Thomas had said that he used to associate Dinesh Schaffter closely at one time and was well aware of his command of English, adding that the style of messaging was different to what he was familiar with.

It was at around 3:30 in the afternoon that Krish Perera had come across an unconscious Dinesh Schaffter.

At 3:55 PM, Dinesh Schaffter was taken to the Colombo National Hospital in his own car and was admitted.

Until then, neither Sri Lanka Police nor Mrs. Schaffter were aware of what had happened to Dinesh Schaffter.