By Marlon Dale Ferreira
Australian Family Addresses Media After Flying Down to Colombo for Burial of Son and Brother
Australian High Commission in Colombo Intervenes, Kollupitiya Police to Re-Open the Case
The grieving family of Australian national Caleb Delano Alexander, who tragically fell from the 7th floor of the Crescat Residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 3, 2024, traveled from Melbourne for his burial and made an emotional plea during a media briefing. They called for the intervention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, firmly asserting that their beloved son and brother did not take his own life but was, in fact, a victim of murder.
Whilst the family addressed the media behind the banner of Foreign Immigrants Caring Organization (FICO) a grieving mother, older sister and brother along with the President of FICO Dr. Indumini Bandara stated these claims.
“I am Caleb’s mum. It’s hard to go through losing a son. I wanted the President to take action as to what they did to my son. It’s hard to go through all this. Please do something. I can’t take this. I want justice.” said the grieving mother.
The late Caleb’s older sister speaking said “I am the older sister. My little brother is dead. My family will never be the same again. My brother was the most compassionate and loving human being who had time for his family and everyone else around him. He would give whatever he had to the poor and had a heart for the poor and the needy. I am still in disbelief that he is gone. It breaks my heart to know that my brother was left there for forty minutes struggling and nobody helped to get him to the hospital as the ambulance was late. A person that has done so much for Sri Lanka, this is the treatment he got at the end. But he always loved the country and wanted to do good for the country. Please, please find out who did this to my brother and bring justice to my brother. Thats all we ask to clear his name as he never committed suicide and he would never do it. Please help us in this matter. Thank you.”
Meanwhile Gannan Alexander, Caleb’s brother speaking, went on to say “I wanted to address myself and say that my brother was an innocent man. And what has happened to my brother at this moment was that they illegally broke into my brother’s apartment, they hassled him, they made him confused and this was a murder. My brother has been murdered. He has been murdered as they illegally entered, broke into his door, confused him, had an argument in the lounge and that is what happened. Nobody gives a right to anybody to break into anybody’s premises, no matter if it is a house or apartment, nobody has the right to break in. I am asking the President ‘Please, I am begging you, I don’t want this happening to any other family or no other family needs to go through what we are going through at the moment’. I am asking the public too, to have a good look at this video and see what has happened. We love Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is our home. Let justice happen in this matter.”
Caleb Was a Good and Honorable Man
In the Holy Bible, Caleb is depicted as a man of steadfast faith and extraordinary courage, chosen by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land alongside Joshua. Due to his steadfast trust in God’s promises, Caleb and his descendants were rewarded with the inheritance of the land of Hebron. His story stands as a powerful testament to unshakable belief, loyalty, and perseverance, even in the face of formidable challenges, embodying the true essence of faith in action.
In recent years, another man named Caleb, born in Sri Lanka and later immigrating to Australia as a young boy, became renowned for his deep love for his country of birth. Driven by compassion, he frequently returned to Sri Lanka, dedicating himself to selfless acts of charity that transformed countless lives. His efforts, which brought hope and relief to the elderly, the sick, and children, earned him widespread admiration and gratitude. Even local police authorities in one region praised Caleb for his humility and unwavering commitment to uplifting the less fortunate, highlighting his exceptional generosity. While completing his charitable work in Sri Lanka, this devout Christian and God-fearing man was also preparing for a mission in Uganda, diligently awaiting his visa and receiving essential vaccinations, including one for yellow fever, as he prepared to embark on this next chapter of service.
Whilst one Caleb reached the promised land several thousands of years ago, the other Caleb more recently met with an untimely death in Colombo on the 3rd of December 2024, with a police investigation report stating the cause of death being suicide.
Australian High Commission Notified of Tragic Incident
The local police, highlighting the details of the tragic incident, submitted a report to the Australian High Commission in Colombo. The report detailed their findings, which concluded that Caleb Delano Alexander, a Sri Lankan-born Australian national, had allegedly taken his own life by jumping from the 7th floor of the Crescat Residency. The Australian High Commission, in turn, conveyed the devastating news to Caleb’s family members residing in Melbourne, leaving them shattered.
Tragic Events and News of Caleb’s Death Conveyed to Family in Melbourne
The heartbreaking events that unfolded at the Crescat Residence on December 3, 2024, did leave the Alexander family in Melbourne devastated and in shock, as they grappled with the sudden and untimely loss of their beloved son and brother.
The devastating news sent shock waves through those who knew and admired him for his selfless work and kind spirit.
However, this entire perception and report of Caleb’s suicide took a completely different turn when a video footage capturing the last 42 seconds of Caleb’s life contradicted the Kollupitiya Chief Police Inspector H.L. Dushmantha’s report which was sent to the Australian High Commission two days after the incident.
Contradictory Evidence Emerges
New evidence surfaced in the form of a 42-second video captured by a bystander, contradicting the police’s conclusions and raising critical questions about the circumstances leading to Caleb’s death. The footage painted a grimmer and more complex picture of the tragic incident, intensifying the already devastating situation. This revelation added another layer of anguish, leaving Caleb’s family desperately searching for answers.
Family Seeks Clarity Amid Devastation
Randy Alexander, Caleb’s older sibling, spoke exclusively to The Morning Telegraph, expressing the family’s distress and disbelief. “We found it rather troubling to hear that my brother had committed suicide,”
“Caleb was one individual who was always dead against anyone committing suicide, as he always voiced that an act as such leaves devastating consequences on the members of the family. So, besides first hearing the absolute sad news of the passing away of Caleb, the reason for his death was even more troublesome to digest. My mum is inconsolable, and my dad, who suffers from dementia, is totally unaware of this incident.” Randy’s heartfelt words underscored the family’s grief and their quest for truth in the wake of such a devastating loss.
Video Evidence Challenges Initial Narrative
Speaking further to The Morning Telegraph, Randy Alexander expressed his growing doubts about the initial conclusion of suicide in his brother Caleb’s case. “Fortunately, a few days later, a video doing its rounds on social media put to rest any thoughts that were painted in our minds about Caleb committing suicide. The footage clearly looks more like a scuffle that takes place between Caleb and a few individuals who entered his apartment without any authority. Caleb appears to be taken by surprise and backs off as they approach him. In the ensuing scuffle, rather than trying to grab him (if they truly believed he was attempting to commit suicide) they instead lift his legs, which causes him to tip over backwards.
After the tragic fall – The person who filmed this video was unaware of what had taken place assuming someone had suffered a heart attack
“What many people don’t know is that there was an altercation between the Crescat authorities and Caleb just moments before this tragic incident. There is definitely much more to this than the evidence we have in hand at present, and what’s more devastating is that this entire incident was hurriedly brushed off, with the death certificate stating the reason for Caleb’s death as suicide.”
Interviews with Crescat Staff Raise Questions
Randy, determined to uncover the truth, shared details of his visit to Colombo following Caleb’s untimely death.
“After my family and I arrived for Caleb’s burial, I personally went to meet Mr. Basil, the administrative authority in charge of the Crescat residency, who was present throughout the entire incident leading to Caleb’s death. I have him on record refusing to make any comment, advising me instead to contact his Crescat management, who would have their legal team respond to any queries.
Mr. Roshan – Caretaker of Crescat Residence
“However, another staff member named Roshan, who wasn’t at the scene, provided us with additional details about what had transpired and identified some of the individuals involved in the incident. He also mentioned that several of them had recorded the altercation and submitted their video evidence along with statements to the Kollupitiya police. Unfortunately, we haven’t been granted access to that information, and we have sought legal assistance to obtain it.”
Public Questions the Official Conclusion
Meanwhile, individuals who have viewed the viral video of Caleb’s fall have expressed their skepticism about the suicide ruling. Many state that the footage is inconclusive and cannot definitively support the conclusion of suicide.
Randy pointed out, “The narrative of suicide seems to have gained traction primarily due to an article published in The Daily Mirror, which prematurely reported the incident as a suicide, and also the voice in the background of the 42-second video, where the person filming speculates Caleb is going to commit suicide. These assumptions have swayed public opinion, but the evidence we now have suggests otherwise.”
Contradictions in Police Report Raise Suspicions in Caleb’s Untimely Death
The Kollupitiya Police report on Caleb’s death contains glaring contradictions that demand further scrutiny. The report claims Caleb had already committed suicide by the time officers arrived at the scene after being summoned by Crescat authorities. Further even more disturbing is the statement that reads ” It was revealed that this person had jumped out of the the 7th floor whilse shouting in a quarrelsome manner in abnormal madness and committed suicide.” However, video footage suggests otherwise.
“In the footage, a traffic policeman is seen on the balcony of the next apartment, appearing to communicate with Caleb and gesturing with his hand as if directing him to move around. A few moments later another policeman along with some other individuals surprisingly takes Caleb unawares and in the ensuing melee are seen lifting his legs, which tips him over. For someone watching the video for the first time without audio, it paints a very different story,” noted a family spokesperson.
These visuals leave room for numerous interpretations, making it inconclusive and casting doubt on the suicide ruling.
Calls for Justice and a Deeper Investigation
The family of Caleb, a man known for his altruistic nature and firm stance against suicide, has expressed disbelief over the narrative presented by authorities. “Suicide is not on. It always leaves others, such as family members, to live with much grief and unanswered questions. Caleb shared this belief throughout his life, and it was a shock when authorities in Australia contacted us, claiming that my brother had committed suicide in Sri Lanka,” said a family member.
The family’s doubts were cemented when a video capturing the last moments of Caleb’s life surfaced online. The footage contradicts the police report submitted to the Australian High Commission and raises serious questions about the investigation.
“This entire incident reeks of a cover-up gone wrong. The more we dig, the more inconsistencies we uncover. Caleb was a kind soul, a man of compassion who lived for others. The idea of suicide is fundamentally against everything he believed and stood for,” the family asserted.
Kollupitiya Police to Re-Open Case
Randy Alexander finally said that the Australian High Commission in Colombo had informed him that they will be intervening in this matter and that the closed case will be re-opened once again by the Kollupitiya Police on the 30th of December 2024.
As the Kollupitiya Police accelerates their inquiry into the newly surfaced evidence and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Caleb’s death, his family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice for a man who devoted his life to helping others. They hold onto hope that the truth will be revealed, ensuring Caleb’s legacy as a beacon of kindness and integrity endures.
“Heaven is richer with the entry of a new angel named Caleb,” shared a grieving family member.
