Sri Lankan charged with murdering his wife in Singapore

A Sri Lankan man who allegedly killed his wife at a hotel in East Coast Road in Singapore, and then confessed to the murder at a nearby police post, was charged in court on Monday, the Straits Times reported.

Eshan Tharaka Koottage is said to have killed Diyawinnage Sewwandi Maduka Kumari, 32, some time between 10.45am and 4.42pm on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong, which is next to i12 Katong mall.

Police learnt of the crime when the 30-year-old turned up at the Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre, about 1.5km away, at 5.05pm, and purportedly confessed to the murder.

In a release on Saturday, police said officers were sent to his hotel room and found the victim lying motionless with a slash wound. She was pronounced dead there by paramedics.

The victim’s husband was then arrested at the police post.

A knife, believed to be used in the incident, was recovered in the hotel room.

On Monday, Eshan, who was unrepresented, appeared in court via video link and spoke via a Sinhalese interpreter.

The prosecution asked the court to remand him for one week and for permission to bring him out to revisit the scene of the crime and recover exhibits.

In court, Eshan asked to speak to the Sri Lankan High Commission, to engage a lawyer.

The prosecution said that the High Commission has been informed of the case, but as investigations are ongoing, he is not allowed to communicate with anyone for now.

The prosecutor added that the investigating officer may allow this eventually.

Eshan will return to court next Monday.

If convicted of murder, he will face the death penalty.