YAKKALA, SRI LANKA – The bodies of a young man and a woman, believed to have died from consuming poison, were discovered by police on Tuesday in the towns of Yakkala and Maharagama. Both individuals were reportedly followers of a religious preacher who had committed suicide in the Makumbura area of Homagama.
According to Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa, seven deaths suspected to be suicides related to the consumption of a similar type of poison in recent days are now under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Among the deceased, a 34-year-old man from Thiwolpura, Ambalangoda, was found at a guest house in Maharagama where he had been staying temporarily. The body of a 21-year-old female university student was recovered from her residence in Yakkala.
The investigation revealed that the young man had informed the guest house management of his intention to leave around six in the evening, but was found unconscious on the bed in his room during a search conducted by employees after not leaving by seven o’clock. Police later discovered he had consumed a strong poison.
The deceased preacher, identified as “Ruwan Prasanna Gunaratne,” was found dead from poisoning on December 28. Days later, his wife (35) reportedly committed suicide by consuming poison after feeding it to her two sons and daughter. The 21-year-old woman and 34-year-old man had attended the funeral of the religious preacher and stated to police that they were his followers and religious leader.
Authorities suspect that all seven deaths were the result of consuming the same type of poison. They are further investigating whether the preacher’s sermons may have influenced the chain of suicide incidents, and are looking for others who may have been influenced by his teachings.
The investigation is ongoing, with police inspectors and sergeants involved in the probe.
In summary, the bodies of a man and a woman, suspected to have committed suicide by consuming poison, were discovered in the towns of Yakkala and Maharagama. Both individuals were followers of a religious preacher who had earlier committed suicide. Authorities suspect that all seven deaths were linked to the consumption of a similar type of poison and are investigating the possible influence of the preacher’s sermons on these incidents.