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Because people were blaming us ... didn't go near the coffin ...Couldn't throw even a handful of earth to the tomb
-- Seya Sandewmi's parents
After the final rites of Seya Sandewmi who was inhumanely murdered in Kotadeniyawa, Gampaha her mother and father reminisced about her and once again shed tears on her 5th birthday which incidentally fell yesterday.
What came into special and serious focus from the villagers and the media concerning the incident was whether it happened with the knowledge of a person in the house. Seya's father was subjected to suspicion in that respect because he was someone who was accused of child abuse from courts previously. The villagers hurled criticism also about the negligence of Seya's mother and other members of the house at the time this incident took place.
It was learned that the parents feared even going near the dead body and had stayed indoors at the time the coffin of Seya Sandewmi with funeral activities were being carried out in the house under this condition with fear imagining that antagonism would flare up from the villagers and the parents had even refrained from placing their hands on the coffin or throw a handful of earth after the dead body was buried.
A special statement was issued to Sirasa TV Channel last night by Seya's mother and father explaining matters about backing out on the occasion. At that point the mother of the deceased explained the condition that had surfaced while what the father said was that those who found fault had done so without finding out the genuine facts.
Though 15 suspects have been questioned with regard to the murder, the murderer has still not been identified. Investigations have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department from yesterday on instructions of the Inspector-General of Police. The police have decided to carry out a DNA examination to identify the suspect.
The special statement issued by the parents, from below