Open verdict on mentally disturbed woman's death
The Colombo city Coroner this week returned an open verdict into the death of a woman who claimed that she was haunted by evil spirits and was later found fallen at her residence, with cut injuries which had led to her death.
The victim, Pryanthini Kumuduni (45), was employed as an Administrative Officer in a Japanese company situated in Kuda Buthgamuwa.
Umesh Madhushan, an Executive officer at the compa- ny, told the Coroners court inquiry that Ms Kumudini often complained she was haunted by unusual sounds and unusual actions including disappearance of part of her food from the parcel at office.
Accordingly, the owner of the building they occupied was informed and the services of an exorcist was obtained to conduct a ritual on April 9, to drive away the evil spirits.
On the day of the incident, last Wednesday, Ms Kumudini had left for work, but returned home shortly afterwards as she was ill. However, around 10.30 am, she had wanted to get back to work and returned to office, the inquiry was told by her husband S. A. D. Shantha Kumara.
She had collected her salary and returned home around 1 pm and rested.
Mr Kumara said that, two hours later, he went looking for her and found her fallen in the pantry with cut injuries.
She was admitted to hospital, but succumbed to her injuries.
Police produced a note reportedly left behind by Ms Kumudini, in which she had stated she was in a disturbed state of mind.
Inquirer into sudden deaths Ashroff Rumy said a further inquiry into the death was needed, and fixed the inquiry for April 31.
Judicial Medical Officer W. A. C. Lakmali, in the postmortem report, noted that death was due to excessive bleeding and further investigations are ongoing.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Jesus Christ was and is one of the greatest teachers of history, whose message of love and compassion has touched hearts and transformed lives of people throughout the ages.
Issuing a message in view of Easter, he said that the cross was a challenge to the political and religious hierarchy of the day; the cross continues to challenge Christians to herald in change in keeping with the doctrine Christ preached - that of love, compassion and forgiveness. “The season of lent teaches them the meaning of sacrificial love that was so poignantly depicted in the life of Christ,”
“Christians observe Good Friday at the foot of the cross and rejoice in the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday - symbolising the victory of justice, mercy and forgiveness that form the foundation of selfless living Christ preached,” the message said.
John Amaratunga: Christ, the way, the truth and life
Marking this year’s Easter as it is something unique to be celebrated
As Easter falls today, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka called for equality among all Sri Lankans for sustainable peace and reconciliation in the country.
“True peace is an outcome of justice. We celebrate this Easter at a time in which the people in our country are searching for new paths to establish justice and truth. There is an effort to develop solidarity and reconciliation among the people in our motherland. This could be done only if we respect one another avoiding petty differences and safeguarding each other’s dignity. Let us ask for the gift of peace and justice upon our dear country and its people,” the Catholic Bishops said in their annual Easter message.
“Easter is the most sublime feast of the Liturgical year in which we proclaim and celebrate the victory of Jesus of Nazareth the Risen Lord Our Saviour, over sin and death. We let the words of the angels resound in our ears. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (Luke 24.5). This is also a suitable time for us priests, religious leaders and laity to rededicate our missionary commitment in the footsteps of St. Joesph Vaz, the Apostle of Sri Lanka” the message said.
Remembering the people who suffer without the basic needs of life, the collective body of Bishops said that the Christian discipleship always invites people to take care for those in need since it is their duty to recognise the face of Jesus in those who suffer.
“In spite of different schemes for economic development, most of our people seem to be entrenched in poverty. Our Easter joy must make us recognise ever more deeply the demands of Christian discipleship. We need to do all we can to alleviate the pain of those around us.”