A 79-year-old woman was found brutally murdered in Seeduwa, with her body allegedly concealed inside a suitcase at her residence, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Gerly Chanidrani, a resident of Piyasamara area in Mukkalangamuwa, Seeduwa.

According to police, officers attached to the Sri Lanka Police launched an investigation following a tip-off received by the Seeduwa Police. During a search carried out at the house on Tuesday (20), officers discovered the woman’s body inside a suitcase kept in one of the rooms.

Investigations conducted into the incident led to the arrest of a 42-year-old man who had reportedly visited the house for maintenance work. Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was severely addicted to narcotic substances.

Police further stated that the murder is believed to have been committed with the intention of robbing the victim’s gold jewellery. The suspect had allegedly hidden the body inside the suitcase after the killing.

Acting Negombo Magistrate Indika Silva and the Judicial Medical Officer visited the scene and conducted preliminary inquiries and the magisterial investigation.

Seeduwa Police are conducting further investigations into the murder.