GALLE — Inquest hears evidence of academic stress as investigators seek to establish the circumstances of the young woman’s death.
An open verdict has been returned following an inquest into the death of a young medical student whose body was discovered near the railway line in Gintota on November 3, with investigators yet to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.
The student, identified in the supplied inquest account as Olokkuwa Patabendige Kavindi Yuthmini de Silva, was studying at the Faculty of Medicine in Karapitiya, Galle.
Galle Inquirer into Sudden Deaths Gamini Kulasinha returned the open verdict following consideration of medical findings and testimony presented during the proceedings.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine whether the incident was accidental or involved intentional action.
Family Gives Evidence at Inquest
According to the account of the proceedings, the student’s father, Viraj Jayak de Silva, a Management Assistant attached to the Malimbada Divisional Secretariat, provided evidence concerning his daughter’s education and personal circumstances.
He told the inquirer that she had gained admission to medical school after her third attempt and was pursuing her medical studies.
The inquest also heard that she had recently married Vishmitha Visharada Wijayanayake, following a relationship of approximately four years. Their marriage had reportedly been registered in August with their families’ consent.
Her father stated that there had been no known serious family disputes.
However, testimony indicated that the student had spoken to relatives about feeling overwhelmed by her academic workload and had expressed a desire for time alone.
Family members also described efforts to support her during this period.
Although those accounts provide context about her circumstances, the available evidence does not establish whether academic pressure contributed to her death.
Family Became Concerned After Messages
The inquest heard that the student had participated in a community health programme in the Gintota area on November 2 before returning to her university activities.
Her husband reportedly met her that afternoon, when she again expressed a wish to spend some time alone.
Later that evening, she sent messages to her husband and parents.
Family members became concerned after reading the messages and subsequently attempted to contact her.
When they received no response, her father travelled to the medical faculty hostel early the following morning.
He was unable to locate his daughter, and friends reportedly had no information about her whereabouts.
Her husband also attempted to contact her after being informed that she was missing from the hostel.
Police later answered one of his calls and requested that he attend the Galle Police Station.
Police Investigate Circumstances of Death
A railway employee discovered the student’s body on the morning of November 3 and informed the authorities.
Police subsequently began examining the circumstances of her death.
Evidence presented at the inquest indicated that she had sustained injuries consistent with a train collision.
However, the drivers of two trains operating during the relevant period reportedly had not witnessed the incident.
Consequently, investigators had not conclusively identified the train involved or established the precise sequence of events.
The student’s father also reportedly told the inquirer that he did not suspect another person of involvement in his daughter’s death.
That statement did not, however, resolve the question of how the incident occurred.
Open Verdict Pending Further Evidence
The inquest considered findings from Consultant Judicial Medical Officer H. D. Weeraratne of the Galle National Hospital.
Inquirer Gamini Kulasinha subsequently returned an open verdict, with further evidence required to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
Additional information from railway personnel and the continuing police investigation may assist authorities in determining what happened.
The death has left the student’s family, husband and university community grieving while the investigation remains unresolved.
The circumstances surrounding her death should not be treated as conclusively established until the relevant authorities complete their inquiries.
