Funeral halted for post-mortem

Yasaratne GAMAGE

A coffin containing the remains of a man was taken over by the Police and sent back to a hospital morgue for a post-mortem while the body was lying at the home of the deceased's brother after the widow lodged a complaint there was suspicion surrounding her husband's death.

The incident occurred while funeral arrangements of M S Rajaratne, 50, who died on Sunday in Mahakachchigoda, Vavuniya, was being organised by the deceased's younger brother at his home in Vavuniya.Meanwhile the deceased's wife, a resident of Etaweeragollewa, Medawachchiya, lodged a complaint at Vavuniya Police that her husband's funeral ceremony was taking place at her husband's brother's house without her consent and that his death was suspicious. Police opted for a magisterial inquest and on the direction of the magistrate, the coffin containing the body, was sent to the Polonnaruwa Hospital morgue for a post- mortem.

Vavuniya Police are investigating.