Lover of dead physiotherapist still missing

Police are continuing investigations to locate and arrest the male partner, suspected of being involved in the death of a physiotherapist, whose body was found inside a car parked near the Teldeniya Base Hospital.

The post-mortem examination was conducted yesterday at the Teldeniya Base Hospital under the supervision of a specialist Judicial Medical Officer.

An open verdict was returned, and body samples have been forwarded to the Government Analyst for further examination.

Police said the victim’s body has now been handed over to her family.

The body of the 34-year-old physiotherapist, a resident of Kurundukoratuwa in Weligama, was discovered on Tuesday afternoon inside a vehicle parked near the hospital.

Investigators have observed several injuries around her neck, and multiple police teams have been deployed to trace her lover, who is the main suspect in the case.

Police stated that the suspect had been using several mobile phones and is known to have spent considerable time in the areas of Kandy, Matale, Kundasale, and Gannoruwa.

According to investigations, the victim had stayed at a lodging facility in Nuwara Eliya with the man from June 3 to 16.

Authorities suspect that the man placed her body in a vehicle on the night of June 16 and transported it to the Teldeniya area the following morning.

CCTV footage showing the woman being carried has also been released.

Police further stated that the individual believed to be the lover was also the person who informed authorities about the body after leaving it in the parking area.

Meanwhile, commenting on the deceased physiotherapist, Director of the Ampara General Hospital, Dr. Nissanka Wijewardena, said she had been employed at the hospital since 2023 and had submitted her resignation about a month ago.

He added that she had been planning to migrate to Canada and had reportedly borrowed a substantial amount of money for that purpose.

However, preliminary investigations indicate that she had been under significant psychological stress after being unable to proceed with her plans to move abroad and facing difficulties in repaying her debts.