A 33-year-old mother of three from Kurulugama, Kebithigollewa, has been remanded until 18 September after allegedly killing her husband with a sharp weapon, reportedly following years of severe domestic violence.

The order was issued by Acting Magistrate Niluka Priyadarshani, who also directed the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to conduct a post-mortem examination and submit the report to the court.

The magistrate further ordered that the suspect’s three children be placed in the care of their grandmother during her detention.

Presenting the case in court, Sergeant Prasanna Ranjith Dissanayake of the Kebithigollewa Police Case Operations Unit said that preliminary investigations revealed the victim had subjected his wife to prolonged physical abuse and mistreatment. On the day of the incident, he had allegedly beaten and attempted to strangle her.

Fearing for her life and unable to endure the abuse any longer, the suspect reportedly struck her husband with a sharp weapon, resulting in his death. She is said to have remained at home with her children until the following morning, when she went to Kebithigollewa Police, confessed to the killing, and surrendered.

Sergeant Dissanayake noted that there appeared to be no premeditated intent to kill and described the case as a “deeply tragic incident that occurred as a result of misfortune.” He requested that the suspect be remanded until investigations are completed.

Senior Attorney-at-Law Ajith Dissanayake appeared on behalf of the suspect, while Sergeant Disanayaka represented the complainant.

After considering the submissions, the magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded until 18 September.