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Ven. Soma Thera’s death

Inquest report today 

by Sandasen Marasinghe and Chamikara Weerasinghe

Remains of Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera being brought to the funeral coach, after the post-mortem at Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, yesterday.  Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa.

Gampaha Magistrate Saman Wickramarachchi postponed the verdict of the inquest on the death of renowned prelate Ven. Gangodavila Soma Thera for today.

The report of the post-mortem at the Ragama Teaching Hospital was not produced before the Magistrate when the inquest was held.

The report regarded confidential was sent to the Gampaha Magistrate.

Judicial medical officers decided yesterday to send main parts of the Thera's body to the government analyst.

The post-mortem took nearly seven hours.

Sarath Imbulmure, Executive Officer of the Bank of Ceylon Headquarters and Secretary of the Janavijaya Movement established by Ven. Gangodavila Soma Thera, testifying before the Magistrate said he received a letter which included inter alia an assassination list in which Ven. Soma Thera's name was fourth.

He received the letter few days after the Thera flew to Russia to accept the honorary doctorate.

The witness said the paper Janavijaya was published by the Janavijaya Movement. Janavijaya's Editor is Sisira Jayasekera.

Shanthi P. Jayasekara, a Professor of a Russian University and Janavijaya Editor's elder brother took steps to confer the Doctorate on Ven. Soma Thera after referring the book Buddha Sthupa written by Ven. Soma Thera.

The witness submitted that Ven. Soma Thera hesitated to accept the Doctorate but later decided to accept it and left for Russia on October 11. Later, he learnt that Ven. Soma Thera fell sick in the flight and was rushed to a hospital in Russia.

"Professor Jayasekara told me over the phone that the Thera was suffering from diabetes and a heart problem. After two weeks, the Thera told me over the phone that he was okay", Imbulmure said.

The Editor of Janavijaya later told me that Ven. Soma Thera might have to undergo a heart surgery. This was told to the Editor by Prof. Jayasekara's brother, witness said.

Imbulmure said they went to India and conducted a pooja to invoke blessings on Ven. Soma Thera.

"Even after that Ven. Soma Thera told us that he was stable. Later we were informed about the passing away of the Thera". witness said. He said he was suspicious about the Thera's death.

Weerathunga Arachchige Don Sirima, 43 sister of Ven. Gangodavila Soma Thera said in evidence that Ven. Soma Thera told her that he would fly to Russia five days prior to the tour.

On December 12, she came to know about the Thera's passing away. She said Ven. Soma Thera was not a heart patient and she was also suspicious about the death.

Weerathunga Arachchige Don Padmasiri, brother of Ven. Soma Thera also expressed his suspicion over the passing away of the prelate.

The post-mortem was held by Ragama Hospital Consultant JMO Dr. Ananda Samarasekera.

Professor Chandrasiri Niriella, Colombo National Hospital Consultant JMO, Dr. L.B.L. Alwis Kalubovila Hospital Consultant JMO, Dr. S.M. Colombage and Cardiologist Wajira Senaratne observed the post-mortem.

Inspector M.P.A. Jayaweera of Katunayake Police led evidence