Murders are not rare events in our country as well as in every country. There are at least two or three news reports about it on daily news broadcasts.
The murder of Padmini Kularatne is like that.
Who is Padmini Kularatne?
Dr. Damon Gamini de Silva Kularatne was born in a distinguished family in Galle. He was known for his social service and medical profession and worked as a doctor at Kekirawa Hospital. He was a rich man and he lived with his mother. At that time Dr. Kularatne, who had fame and power, was thinking of getting married. His choice It was Padmini Susila Perera, the daughter of a wealthy Kalutara family.
An educated girl, Padmini got married at the age of twenty-three. After marriage, she became Padmini Kularatne. Padmini was able to become a mother very quickly. In 1948, Dr. Kularatne went to America for her post-graduation and Padmini went to her parents.
After he returned, Padmini gave birth to two more children. In addition to the family members, a servant, two maids and a driver lived in that big house.
Clashes between Padmini and Dr. Kularathne
Dr. Kularatne left the government service and started a private dispensary. For his service, he hires a young woman named Ariyavathi. Padmini does not like it. Over time, a close relationship develops between Ariyavathi. Padmini does not like it. Over time, a close relationship develops between Ariyavathi and Dr. Kularatne. Seeing that she is working very close to Kularatne, she gets angry and scolds Ariavathy. But no one takes her side in this incident. Even her aunt keeps quiet about this incident. Mrs. Laura also starts liking Ariavathy. Ariavathy and Dr. Kularatne live very happily. At the beginning, Padmani’s life is spent in tears.
Romiel, the driver, gets angry over the breakup of the doctor’s family and loses his job because he scolds Aryavathy.
Dr. Kularatne even tries to send Padmini to Angoda Mental Health Institute saying that she has a mental illness.
Padmini’s younger sister, Lalani, comes to Padmini as a remedy for her sister’s pain. She shows her sister to a doctor and the doctor says that Padmini is suffering from a broken heart. .Padmini gets locked up in a room in the house and gets scolded for Laura’s facts.
While cooking is done in two kitchens in the house, Laura and Dr. Kularatne cook in one kitchen and Padmini and the children cook in another.
In the meantime, Dr. Kularatne decides to get a divorce. Padmini has said that she should consult a lawyer. Laura is very angry about this.
Padmini falls ill suddenly
As she is locked in the room, Padmini is given food by placing it in a cane basket and carrying it upstairs. One day after eating like this, Padmini also gets a severe stomach ache. She calls Lalani and asks her to go to a doctor immediately to save her life. There are
But with only the younger daughter around, Padmini becomes seriously ill and suffers, and dies after a few days. When the police come to investigate, the toilet has been flushed and her vomited parts and food utensils are being examined.
What the test proves.
Padmini’s stomach has been severely damaged and she has died of suffocation. It is found that the type of poison is present in her stomach. Dr. Kularatne’s dispensary is checked and two bottles containing the same type of poison are found. The death is suspicious. The two and Laura Kularatne are arrested.
Inquiry
The maid who cooked for Padmini and the children is acquitted and the other maid, Sopia and Laura Kularatne, are blamed for mixing poison in the pickles. Dr. Kularatne is also blamed for aiding and abetting.
The case goes to the Supreme Court and they get the death penalty. They appeal and are said to have been acquitted.
The Padmini Kularatne murder case was a very popular case in Sri Lanka in 1967. A TV drama was even made after the month. It is said that Laura died of cancer and the doctor remarried.
It is still a mystery whether Padmini Kularatne was really poisoned or she could not bear the pressure and committed suicide.