Thisara Weragalage – Cardiff

MAN JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER MURDERING WIFE DURING SEPARATION IN CARDIFF

A man has been jailed for life after murdering his wife in a brutal knife attack in Cardiff while she was attempting to separate from him.

Thisara Weragalage, 38, of Pentwyn, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years and nine months for the murder of 32-year-old Nirodha Kalpani Niwunhella.

Weragalage initially denied the charge before later changing his plea and admitting the killing.

Police were called to South Morgan Place in Riverside, Cardiff, at 7.37am on 21 August following reports of a seriously injured woman.

When emergency services arrived, officers found Nirodha suffering catastrophic injuries after being stabbed multiple times. Despite immediate first aid from police and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators later discovered a broken knife blade and handle nearby, while a post-mortem examination confirmed Nirodha had suffered at least 20 stab wounds.

Witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing the area in a Ford Fiesta shortly after the attack. Fast-track CCTV enquiries identified the vehicle as belonging to Weragalage.

Less than an hour later, officers responded to a welfare-related incident on Seawall Road where they located Weragalage matching the suspect description. A nearby search uncovered the Ford Fiesta containing blood inside the vehicle.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged.

During sentencing, the court heard that Nirodha had been in the process of separating from Weragalage, who was unable to accept the breakdown of the relationship.

Detective Inspector Graham Williams described Weragalage as a jealous and cowardly former partner who brought knives to the area intending to intimidate Nirodha before carrying out the fatal attack.

In emotional victim impact statements, Nirodha’s family described her as a cherished daughter, loving friend and kind-hearted woman who touched many lives with warmth and compassion.

Her father told the court that the murder of their only daughter had destroyed the family’s hopes and left them carrying unbearable grief. He also spoke about the added hardship caused by the killing happening abroad, including communication difficulties and financial struggles while trying to seek justice from overseas.

He said the family could not understand how Weragalage could commit such a “heinous crime” after they had accepted and loved him as part of their family.

DI Williams praised the efforts of officers, emergency responders and members of the public who supported the investigation and helped secure the conviction.

South Wales Police also reiterated the force’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls and encouraged victims of domestic abuse to seek support and report offences.

The case once again highlighted the devastating dangers surrounding domestic abuse, controlling behaviour and relationship violence following separation.

Do you think enough protection is available for victims attempting to leave abusive or controlling relationships?

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