Man who confessed to wife's murder at Katong hotel not allowed to communicate with anyone for now

Samuel Devaraj
The Straits Times
Sept 11, 2023

A man who allegedly killed his wife at a hotel in East Coast Road and confessed to the murder at a nearby police post was charged in court on Monday.

Eshan Tharaka Koottage, a Sri Lankan, is said to have killed Diyawinnage Sewwandi Maduka Kumari some time between 10.45am and 4.42pm on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong, which is next to i12 Katong mall.

Police learnt of the crime when the 30-year-old turned up at the Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre, about 1.5km away, at 5.05pm and purportedly confessed to the murder.

In a release on Saturday, police said officers were sent to his hotel room and found the 32-year-old victim lying motionless with a slash wound. She was pronounced dead by paramedics.

The victim’s husband was then arrested at the police post.

A knife, believed to be used in the incident, was recovered in the hotel room.

Koottage, who was unrepresented, appeared in court on Monday via video link and spoke via a Sinhalese interpreter.

The prosecution asked the court to remand him for a week and for permission to take him to the scene of the crime and recover exhibits.

In court, Koottage asked to speak to the Sri Lankan High Commission to engage a lawyer.

The prosecution said the High Commission had been informed of the case but as investigations were ongoing, he would not be allowed to communicate with anyone for now.

The prosecutor added that the investigating officer could allow it eventually.

Koottage will return to court next Monday.

If convicted of murder, he faces the death penalty.