Depressed depositor ends life

Suranjith PERERA Dehiwala, Mt. Lavinia Group Corr

A depositor in the Golden Key Credit Company committed suicide by hanging himself as he was depressed over the loss of his hard-earned money.

Gayathra Sandarenu Manamendra's sister Lakshi Niranjala testifying before Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate Darshika Wimalasiri at the Magisterial inquiry said her brother had been in a severe state of mental distress since late.

"This was evident from the many letters he had written to the Banks," said Niranjala, 44, of Wilgoda, Kurunegala at the Magisterial inquiry into the death of Manamendra, 52, of Span Tower Housing Complex, Peterson Road, Wellawatte, a major depositor in the failed Golden Key Credit Card Company yesterday.

Manamendra had committed suicide by hanging himself.

Niranjala said her brother was not employed. He had investments in Finance Companies and the share market and lived on the income earned.

She said her brother studied law but did not complete the law examinations. He had substantial investments in the Golden Key Credit Card Company too and was concerned about the money which could not be recovered although he did not divulge it to us openly.

She said she came to know of her brother's death when mother called her and informed her about his death.

Kusuma Manamendra, 72, of Templar Road, Mt. Lavinia said the deceased was her eldest son. Her son lived alone at the apartment he bought at Span Tower Building, Wellawatte.

She said the day before his death, her son visited her and had a meal with her. During the discussions he said his health had deteriorated and mentioned about the money he had invested in the Golden Key Company.

He was also a teetotaller who lived a secluded life. She heard about the sons's death from the security service at the apartment building which informed her that a foul smell was emanating from one of his rooms in the building.

She said as she could not climb the staircase in the building due to weakness in her legs, she immediately summoned her daughter to the spot to assist her in the work.

JMO Colombo South Hospital who conducted the post mortem-examination reported that death was due to suffocation.

The Magistrate returned a verdict of suicide. Wellewatte police led evidence.