Man, 30, who allegedly murdered wife in Holiday Inn Express Katong charged, to be remanded in police custody

SINGAPORE — Two days after he was arrested for allegedly killing his wife, Eshan Tharaka Koottage was formally charged with murder on Monday (Sept 11), an offence that carries the death penalty.

The 30-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested on Sept 9 after he turned himself in to officers at the Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre. He told the police at about 5.05pm that he had killed his wife at the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong hotel along East Coast Road, which is located near the i12 Katong mall.

When the police arrived at the hotel room, they found his 32-year-old wife, Diyawinnage Sewwandi Maduka Kumari, lying motionless with a slash wound. She was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene, the police said on Sept 9.

The police also recovered a knife in the hotel room, which was believed to be the murder weapon.

Court documents on Monday stated that the alleged act had occurred sometime between 10.45am and 4.42pm at the Katong hotel on Sept 9.

Appearing in State Court via video link, the man, who was not represented by a defence counsel, appeared nonchalant after his murder charge was read to him in Sinhalese by a court interpreter.

The police prosecutor asked that Eshan be remanded in police custody to aid in further investigations, which includes revisiting the scene as well as uncovering other evidence. 

Before the conclusion of his hearing, Eshan told the court via the interpreter that he wished to contact the Sri Lankan High Commission to engage a lawyer for his case.

He also asked that Singapore provides a lawyer for him.

The prosecutor stated in response that the High Commission had been notified, but added that no contact with external parties is allowed during investigations.

Eshan is set to return to court on Sept 18.

If found guilty of murder, he could face the death penalty.