It was revealed in court today (9) that 22 witnesses have so far given testimony in the inquest into the mysterious death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena.
The Fort Magistrate ordered that further witness hearings be recalled on June 19.
During today’s proceedings, Chief Inspector Prasad Senadhira de Silva, Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory, testified before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara, stating that stains suspected to be blood were found under a chair at the scene where Kapila Chandrasena died, as well as on the chair where he had rested his head.
He further stated that samples of the suspected blood stains were collected and sent for analysis.
Witnesses numbered 22, 25, and 29 in the case—including Sub-Inspector M. Udesh Damayanta (OIC, Kollupitiya Police Criminal Division), Chief Inspector Prasad Senadhira de Silva (Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory), and Police Constable Madusha Sameera Sampath from the Police CCTV Division—gave evidence in court.
Testimony from the remaining witnesses was postponed to the next hearing date.
Sub-Inspector Udesh Damayanta, OIC of the Kollupitiya Police Criminal Investigation Division, testified that the incident occurred on May 8, 2026. He said he received a phone call from the station chief informing him that a person had allegedly died by hanging at the residence of Aravinda de Silva, located at No. 37, Pedris Road, Kollupitiya.
The police officer said he then travelled to the location with three police sergeants and three constables.
When questioned by the police, he said he recorded statements from those present at the house, including three individuals from a private hospital, two drivers, and three domestic staff members. He also recorded statements from Aravinda de Silva’s wife and lawyer Priyantha.
Chief Inspector Prasad Senadhira de Silva further stated that he collected evidence from the scene where the deceased had died.
He explained that he arrived at the location at 8.50 a.m. after receiving a call at 8.45 a.m., along with two assistant officers. At the scene, he was briefed by the Kollupitiya Police OIC.
He stated that a room on the first floor of Aravinda de Silva’s house, located in front of the staircase, had an open door.
When asked about the room layout, he said there was another adjoining room on the left side with a door leading to a toilet, but it was locked at the time.
He added that a suspected blood droplet was found under the chair where the deceased had rested his head, and that after the forensic doctor removed the body, a blood stain was also observed on the chair. Samples were collected from both locations.
He also said a blue strap was found hanging from the bathroom door frame, extending downward, containing light blue hair-like strands. Believing it may have been used in a hanging, he collected the material and stored it in a transparent evidence bag.
He further noted signs of compression on the upper edge of the door frame after inspection.
Other items recovered from the scene were taken over by the Colombo Crimes Division.
Police Constable Madusha Sameera Sampath from the Police CCTV Division also testified as witness No. 29.
He said he provided technical assistance in retrieving CCTV footage from the scene after receiving a call from Kollupitiya Police and was informed that it was a suspicious death case.
When asked how many CCTV cameras were functioning, he said five cameras were operational and covered the surrounding road area.
He checked the DVR system but found the date settings were incorrect, showing 2002/01/10. No footage of the incident was recorded.
He added that recordings existed only for specific periods in 2025 and that footage was recorded normally during those dates.
When asked why CCTV recording failed, he said the hard disk becomes full and stops recording.
He also said he examined CCTV systems at two nearby addresses on Pedris Road, Colombo 3, and attempted to check another system in Barnes Place, Colombo 7, but was unable to access it due to unknown passwords.
When asked whether CCTV evidence existed related to the death, he said he only provided technical support and did not personally review footage.
The court noted that CCTV at Aravinda de Silva’s residence was checked around 1.30 p.m., and the DVR was examined at that time.
The witness added that the DVR system was located in a separate locked room and accessed using a password provided by a household staff member.
Further witness hearings have been scheduled for June 19.
The Fort Magistrate ordered that further witness hearings be recalled on June 19.
During today’s proceedings, Chief Inspector Prasad Senadhira de Silva, Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory, testified before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara, stating that stains suspected to be blood were found under a chair at the scene where Kapila Chandrasena died, as well as on the chair where he had rested his head.
He further stated that samples of the suspected blood stains were collected and sent for analysis.
Witnesses numbered 22, 25, and 29 in the case—including Sub-Inspector M. Udesh Damayanta (OIC, Kollupitiya Police Criminal Division), Chief Inspector Prasad Senadhira de Silva (Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory), and Police Constable Madusha Sameera Sampath from the Police CCTV Division—gave evidence in court.
Testimony from the remaining witnesses was postponed to the next hearing date.
Sub-Inspector Udesh Damayanta, OIC of the Kollupitiya Police Criminal Investigation Division, testified that the incident occurred on May 8, 2026. He said he received a phone call from the station chief informing him that a person had allegedly died by hanging at the residence of Aravinda de Silva, located at No. 37, Pedris Road, Kollupitiya.
The police officer said he then travelled to the location with three police sergeants and three constables.
When questioned by the police, he said he recorded statements from those present at the house, including three individuals from a private hospital, two drivers, and three domestic staff members. He also recorded statements from Aravinda de Silva’s wife and lawyer Priyantha.
Chief Inspector Prasad Senadhira de Silva further stated that he collected evidence from the scene where the deceased had died.
He explained that he arrived at the location at 8.50 a.m. after receiving a call at 8.45 a.m., along with two assistant officers. At the scene, he was briefed by the Kollupitiya Police OIC.
He stated that a room on the first floor of Aravinda de Silva’s house, located in front of the staircase, had an open door.
When asked about the room layout, he said there was another adjoining room on the left side with a door leading to a toilet, but it was locked at the time.
He added that a suspected blood droplet was found under the chair where the deceased had rested his head, and that after the forensic doctor removed the body, a blood stain was also observed on the chair. Samples were collected from both locations.
He also said a blue strap was found hanging from the bathroom door frame, extending downward, containing light blue hair-like strands. Believing it may have been used in a hanging, he collected the material and stored it in a transparent evidence bag.
He further noted signs of compression on the upper edge of the door frame after inspection.
Other items recovered from the scene were taken over by the Colombo Crimes Division.
Police Constable Madusha Sameera Sampath from the Police CCTV Division also testified as witness No. 29.
He said he provided technical assistance in retrieving CCTV footage from the scene after receiving a call from Kollupitiya Police and was informed that it was a suspicious death case.
When asked how many CCTV cameras were functioning, he said five cameras were operational and covered the surrounding road area.
He checked the DVR system but found the date settings were incorrect, showing 2002/01/10. No footage of the incident was recorded.
He added that recordings existed only for specific periods in 2025 and that footage was recorded normally during those dates.
When asked why CCTV recording failed, he said the hard disk becomes full and stops recording.
He also said he examined CCTV systems at two nearby addresses on Pedris Road, Colombo 3, and attempted to check another system in Barnes Place, Colombo 7, but was unable to access it due to unknown passwords.
When asked whether CCTV evidence existed related to the death, he said he only provided technical support and did not personally review footage.
The court noted that CCTV at Aravinda de Silva’s residence was checked around 1.30 p.m., and the DVR was examined at that time.
The witness added that the DVR system was located in a separate locked room and accessed using a password provided by a household staff member.
Further witness hearings have been scheduled for June 19.
