By Roy Denish.
A law student death in Gorakana has triggered a police investigation after officers found the body of a young woman inside a rented house on Galkanuwa Road, within the Panadura North Police area.
Police said residents and officers broke open the door after a strong foul odor came from the house. They then found the woman dead inside. Investigators suspect that her throat had been cut with a knife, but they have not reached a conclusion.
The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Mannamarakkalage Naduni Sahasri Cooray. She was studying law at a private university. Preliminary inquiries show that she had earlier lived in Moratuwa and was a divorcee. She had been married to a person holding a senior position in a private company.
Cooray had also been attending court proceedings under a lawyer as part of her practical legal training.
A related news video about the incident can be viewed here: Facebook Reel on the Gorakana law student death.
Law Student Death Under Investigation
Police said the young woman had been living alone in the rented house. Her family members had reportedly been unable to contact her or obtain any information about her for nearly two days.
Investigators also learned that she was deeply fond of raising pets. Five small dogs were found inside the room where her body lay. At the time officers discovered the body, police also took two suspected knives found near her into custody.
However, investigators have stressed that no final finding has been made on whether the law student death was a suicide or the result of criminal intervention. Therefore, police are treating the incident as a suspicious death while evidence is examined.
Police Await Magistrate’s Inquest
The Panadura North Police have launched a wide investigation to establish the facts behind the incident. Officers from the Panadura Division Crime Scene Laboratory, known as SOCO, and fingerprint experts have already examined the location.
The Panadura Magistrate’s inquest is expected to take place in due course.
Police are conducting the inquiry under the direct instructions of Panadura Senior Superintendent of Police Nishan Silva and Assistant Superintendent of Police Kamal Jayaneththi. Panadura North Police Officer-in-Charge Chief Inspector Tissa Sarathchandra is guiding the investigation.
A police team, including Crimes Division OIC Sub-Inspector Ashoka Namal, is continuing investigations into the law student death. For official police updates, readers may refer to Sri Lanka Police.
