Authorities in Sri Lanka have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a young man’s body found in a canal near the Mihisaru Resource Management Center in Karadiyana. Initial reports had suggested the victim died in a crocodile attack; however, forensic findings indicate otherwise.
The deceased, identified as 23-year-old Shehan Tharaka Perera from Angulana, was found on Tuesday, August 1. Early social media accounts described a crocodile dragging a youth’s body, sparking public alarm and criticism directed at wildlife authorities. Subsequent police inquiries and a post-mortem examination conducted by Dr. Sandaken Waduge, consultant judicial medical officer at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, revealed that Perera’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the chest, resulting in severe internal injuries. The report stated that injuries from crocodile bites occurred only after death.
Police suspect that the trauma may have been inflicted by a vehicle collision, a significant fall, or an assault. Investigators compared the force that caused the injuries to that of being hit by a vehicle. The hands of the deceased were not found to be bound, although some witnesses noted one hand held a piece of cloth, possibly used to tie the victim. Police are reviewing CCTV footage along the route from Angulana to the canal area to gather further evidence.
The incident initially came to light when workers at a nearby garbage dump observed a crocodile dragging a swollen and decomposing body in the canal. These workers, speaking anonymously, expressed suspicion that the body had been deliberately discarded in the remote location, possibly to conceal a crime. They identified the presence of approximately 25 crocodiles in the canal, including large specimens exceeding 13 feet in length, which are known to feed on carcasses. Wildlife officials emphasize that crocodiles do not typically attack humans unless provoked, especially during dusk when the reptiles are more active.
Colombo wildlife ranger M.P. Sanjeewa advised the public to avoid entering crocodile habitats and cautioned against repeated visits to such areas. Sanjeewa noted that crocodile attacks on humans are rare and generally involve individuals entering the water. He stressed the importance of understanding crocodile behavior and preserving their natural environment rather than demonizing them.
Perera’s mother, M.B. Anoja, stated that her son was undergoing drug withdrawal and had left home on the evening of Sunday, August 30. Neighbors reported seeing him running in the vicinity that night. Anoja expressed her belief that her son was murdered and that the crocodile only interacted with his body after death, suggesting the animal’s actions inadvertently led to the discovery of the body.
The Piliyandala police’s miscellaneous complaint branch initially handled the case but has now escalated the investigation to their crime division to determine the precise circumstances leading to Perera’s death.