A 28-year-old Chinese woman was found brutally murdered at the Kent Residence luxury apartment complex in Colombo’s Kollupitiya area, with police launching a massive manhunt for her former boyfriend who allegedly carried out the attack and fled, while another Chinese man was also wounded in the incident.
A foreign national has been found murdered at the Kent Residence luxury apartment complex located on Peris Mawatha in Kollupitiya, Kohuwala police reported. The victim is a 26-year-old Chinese woman, and the crime was reported yesterday (23).
Police officers acted swiftly on a tip-off received through the emergency hotline and discovered the body during an inspection of the apartment. Investigators immediately arrived at the scene and commenced preliminary inquiries.
According to information uncovered during police investigations so far, officers strongly suspect that the murder was carried out by the victim’s former boyfriend, who is also a Chinese national. Authorities confirmed that the suspect fled the area after the stabbing and remains at large. The exact motive behind the killing has not yet been determined. Kohuwala police have launched a full-scale investigation to track down the suspect.
The incident took place on the second floor of the four-story Kent Residence complex, where a 28-year-old Chinese woman had been living on a rental basis. She was stabbed to death with a sharp weapon yesterday evening. Another Chinese national, believed to be a friend of the victim, was also stabbed during the attack and sustained serious injuries. The suspect fled the area immediately after the crime, and the Criminal Investigation Division of Kohuwala police has initiated a special operation to apprehend him.
The victim has been identified as Li Wa Yan. Police sources indicate that she had rented the apartment approximately two months ago and had been residing there since. Investigators suspect that the perpetrator, who remains at large, was her boyfriend. A senior police officer speculated that a dispute arising from a romantic relationship may have led to the crime. It was further revealed that the suspect had rented a neighboring apartment just three days prior to the killing, suggesting the attack may have been premeditated. Reports also indicate that the other Chinese man injured in the attack may be the victim’s current boyfriend, pointing to a possible love triangle.
Police believe the killing was carried out with intent for revenge, possibly stemming from the victim ending a previous relationship. The woman is believed to have been involved with two men, and the former boyfriend may have been motivated by jealousy and anger when he carried out the attack. The woman succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Meanwhile, police have taken steps to prevent the suspect from leaving the country. All relevant information regarding the suspect has been shared with airport authorities at Katunayake and Mattala, with instructions to arrest him immediately should he attempt to depart. The investigation is being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of Kohuwala police under the guidance of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Western Province Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Western South Division Samantha Wijesekera, and Senior Superintendent of Police for the Galkissa Division Ashoka Gunasekara.
