Brutal death of Sri Lankan shocks family

The brutal death of a Sri Lankan man on a tranquil North Canterbury farm has left his family distraught. Twenty-eight-year-old Sameera Chandrasena was found dead in the Domain Rd home he rented on the outskirts of Oxford, about 40 minutes north of Christchurch on Wednesday morning after a suspicious fire at the property.

An autopsy conducted on Friday revealed that Chandrasena had died as a result of injuries consistent with an assault and was dead before the fire started.

A homicide investigation has been launched and police have arrested two Sri Lankan men on charges unrelated to the death.

Detective Inspector Virginia Le Bas said that both of the arrested men were known to the deceased. One had been arrested on unrelated assault charges and was remanded in custody until March 5 after a brief court appearance yesterday morning. The other man had been detained on immigration matters.

“The inquiry is continuing and we expect further charges relating to the death and the arson will be laid,” Le Bas said.

A team of 25 were working on the investigation. Yesterday the isolated rural property where Chandrasena, a dairy farm worker, lived alone was still being examined by investigators from the police and the fire service. A large army tent shrouded one side of the the burnt wreckage of the simple wooden house. On either side of the driveway flowers had been placed by his friends and colleagues, who knew him as Sammy or Rassy.

Chandrasena was a keen member of the Oxford cricket team, where he was regarded as a talented all-rounder. He had played for the club for the past three seasons.

He was a permanent resident who had been living in New Zealand for about four years. He had a brother who lived in Christchurch but most of their family are still in Sri Lanka.

“Police have been speaking to [his brother] and he has then contacted relatives in Sri Lanka. He’s extremely emotional and upset at what's happened to his brother.

“It’s beyond belief for him,” Le Bas said.

She would not release any details about the nature of the assault on Chandrasena or comment on whether a weapon was involved. She said Chandrasena knew the arrested men through the Sri Lankan community and work. “It’s early days and we are speaking to various people involved with Sammy,” Le Bas said.

Police yesterday began searching in the vicinity of Bealey Ave, Springfield Rd, Holly Rd and Manchester St in St Albans, Christchurch, for items of clothing and property that may have been discarded.

They are asking anyone in the area who finds any unusual items or saw any suspicious activity in the early hours of Wednesday, February 23, to contact them on (03) 363 7400.

Fairfax NZ News