A very rare case of a cremated body being taken out and sent for a post-mortem examination is reported from Mirigama area. Coroner Thusitha Pramod Wijayawardena and a police team intervened and forwarded a body that was being cremated to the forensic doctor of Watupitivala Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
A body of woman named R.D.S.Ranasinghe,(81) a resident of Veyangoda area, has been referred for a post-mortem. She is an inmate of an elderly home located in Mirigama area. She fell ill suddenly and was admitted to Mirigama Base Hospital where she died. Doctors have declared that the woman died of pneumonia. Accordingly, steps have been taken to cremate the body.
However, after her guardian did not respond to her death, the guardians of the eldery home had arranged for the body to be cremated at the Mirigama crematorium.
Meanwhile, according to a complaint made by a relative of the deceased woman to the Gampaha Division Senior Superintendent of Police, the Mirigama Police took steps to initiate an investigation. Accordingly, the coroner was called to the crematorium and the body which was being cremated was removed and sent to Vatupitivala Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Mr. Upul Hettiarachchi, Station Commander of Mirigama Police, is conducting further investigations.