Mystery death of Innkeeper

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Mystery surrounds the death of a wealthy Innkeeper whose body was found with cut injuries on the staircase of his Inn at De Saram Road, Mount Lavinia on Friday. "His neck had been slashed with a sharp cutting instrument that caused the death. However the motive for the killing has not been established," police sources told the 'Sunday Observer'.

According to Police the Innkeeper Susantha Silva (55) a divorcee had led a reclusive life at the Inn and had not associated with any of his neighbours. He was married to a German woman and had a son by that marriage. Both his son and his previous wife live abroad.

His son used to visit him every year when he travels to Sri Lanka. The Innkeeper used to rent out rooms to couples on a short time basis and locks the electric gate of the Inn after 9 p.m. to prevent visitors calling late at night. Since 25th August he had not opened the Inn for business. Police said he was a dog lover and had five German Shepherds at his Inn. The dogs had started barking incessantly when there wasn't anybody to provide food for them.

Meanwhile police are investigating several clues found at his room. They are looking out for a mason who had done repairs to the Inn. A woman who is said to visit him often will also be questioned. However no one has been apprehended so far, police sources said. HQI Mount Lavinia Mahesh Perera is investigating the murder under the directions of SSP H. Adikari and SP, L.C. Gunewardena.