Infant murdered in cold blood

by Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana and Ananda Agalakada

It is not wrong to say that the hope of every adult who enters wedlock is to witness the blossoming smile of an offspring. It is no secret that the amount of pain and anxiety that some married couples undergo when for some reason or the other they are unable to produce an offspring.

This sad story is not just another miserable act of an immature mother who dumps her newborn baby in a culvert or under some garbage or even leaves the infant by the roadside but that of a devilish act of a senseless father who slit his nine- month- old baby girl’s throat for no apparent reason.

Thotamune Patabendige Thinidi Sadinya Sathsarani who was barely nine months was the only child of the couple and was initially loved by her mother and father.

Unlike many children of that age who enjoyed undisturbed care and affection from parents, Thinidi had never been held with love and affection of perents by her father.

The parents had decided to part ways soon after marriage. The couple found that they were not compatible and were always quarrelling with one another over trivial issues.

It was only two years since Thushari and Sandun *(not the real names)*got married of their own accord and were living at Thushari’s extended family home in Thorakolayaya in Middeniya. Twenty-year-old Thushari who was a housewife and her infant were living with her uncle and aunt.

Her parents were working abroad in the Middle East. They subsidised Thushari’s income by sending her a monthly stipend.

Army deserter

Sandun who was 22-years-old had served in the Army sometime ago and then moved out of the Army without officially informing the Army ending up being an Army deserter and was living an idle life. It was at this time that he met Thushari and it was love at first sight.

They were married soon after even without parental sanction and became parents to a bonny baby girl. The little girl was brought up with love and care for the first few months. Sandun who was unemployed led an idle life and was not even looking for a job. He never showed signs of taking any resposibility towards his new-born.

Although he came from a well-known family in the village where his parents had a thriving dry fish business in the Middeniya area, Sandun never tried to take control of the family business or at least help his parents in the business.

He was always in the company of his boozing mates who were also idle and doing nothing to make a living. At times they indulged in smoking illicit ganja and the like.

Many a time Thushari and her parents tried to persuade Sandun to give up his old habits and turn a new leaf for the sake of his new-born but to no avail.

It fell on deaf ears and Sandun never endeavoured to find some form of employment.

Thushari’s parents were wanting to solve the problems of their new son-in-law and began sending cash amounting to Rs.10, 000 every month to support the couple and the baby.

They had even bought a van for Sandun to start a hiring service. But he took no notice of all that and continued with his old idle habits.

However, none of this seemed to have made much of a difference to change Sandun’s lifestyle or attitude towards the family.

In the course of time in response to Sandun’s careless don’t care attitude and behaviour, arguments between the couple were on the rise and eventually they turned into fisticuffs and then into huge fights.

Divorce

As time went by Sandun didn’t pay any heed to Thushari or the baby and most of the time he was living away from the home and family. While occasionally visiting his wife and also seeing the baby. The situation was getting out of control and the couple now contemplated divorce.

The situation was taking a turn for the worse and they found that they could not reconcile with one another on any count.

Sandun was in the habit of visiting the home even late at night and taking a look at his daughter. He also took the infant to his parents home once in a while.

On that ill-fated night of January 15 Sandun visited the house around 9.15pm and had taken the little girl with him and disappeared into the night without the knowledge of his wife. When Thushari observed that Sandun had taken the baby away, she began wailing calling for her baby daughter and tried calling him on his mobile phone. Moments later Sandun answered the call and was told to send her uncle to fetch the baby from the Tekka Kele, a large Teak forest reserve which belonged to the Government.

Strange foreboding

Thushari’s uncle who was informed about this, swiftly went to the spot directed by Sandun leaving the wailing Thushari at home with her aunt. He sensed a strange foreboding.

He felt that something was amiss after Sandun’s unexpected action. He had fled with the baby in the middle of the night without anyone noticing him.

The night sky was well lit with light from the full moon falling in the area because it was just a day after Poya day.

The Tekka Kele area at the boundary of the thick forest was clearly visible. Thushari’s uncle could not move further into the jungle as he got a frightful feeling seeing no human existence.

The area was very lonely. To his utter shock he saw the little infant on the ground with no Sandun in sight.

The uncle quickly lifted the baby who did not make a cry. He could not believe his eyes at what he saw. He was too shocked for words to witness the most horrific and heartbreaking scene.

The little bundle of joy whom he cuddled remained lifeless with a deep slit across her tiny neck .

The last drops of blood were still dripping from the deep cut.

He realised that it was too late to do anything. The child was dead!.

Police team

A police team was immediately dispatched to the crime scene as soon as Middeniya Police was informed about this tragedy.

The police with the assistance of the people in the area appointed search parties and moved into the surrounding forest area in search of Sandun who was responsible for this gruesome act.

Special police teams summoned from nearby stations were also deployed for the search operation.

A senior police officer in charge of Middeniya area told the Sunday Observer that latest investigations have revealed that Sandun had moved out towards the Hambegamuwa area after committing the dastardly act.

Three police teams were deployed to find the fleeing suspect in the Hambegamuwa forest.

Police also recorded statements from members of both families.

Whatever action is taken to hound the culprit nor whatever grave punishment is meted out to the suspect nothing could bring back this little girl to life.