TRUE CRIME | SRI LANKA
The Murder of Adeline Vitharana
It appeared to be a hit-and-run case. Yet, the postmortem examination conducted by the forensic analysis expert revealed that it was a murder committed by running over a car more than once on purpose.
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It was midnight on March 14, 1959. A lorry driver saw a woman’s body on the side of the road at Thimbiriwewa (near the 27th milepost between Puttalam and Anuradhapura.) It was close to the Wilpattu National Park. The driver informed the authorities.
It appeared to be a hit-and-run case. Yet, the postmortem examination conducted by the forensic analysis expert revealed that it was a murder committed by running over a car more than once on purpose.
Further, the forensic examination revealed that she was about seven months pregnant and aged between 20 and 25 years. It was hard to identify the body as she was not a local woman. The police published the news through the newspapers. Back then, it was known as the Wilpattu Murder.
An Innocent Girl Who Trusted a Liar
Adeline Vitharana was the young girl of the Vitharana family in Katugastota. She was a brilliant student even though she stopped her studies after passing the ordinary-level examination. She had an elder sister who later became a schoolteacher.
Adeline formed a romantic relationship with Jayalal Anandagoda in November 1956. He was a teacher at a school in Kalutara. However, Jayalal introduced himself to Adeline by another name and occupation.
Jayalal had a playboy lifestyle. Not knowing that Jayalal was deceiving her, Adeline trusted her lover. She soon became pregnant by Jayalal. At that time, she was 20 years old.
After Adeline’s pregnancy, her parents found out about her affair. The news shocked her father, and he fell ill. Adeline sent Jayalal a telegram about her pregnancy. He replied to meet in Katugastota town.
Adeline and her mother met Jayalal and then came home with him. He promised to marry her and take care of the child. Adeline’s family soon realized those were false promises. Then she…
