Investigations into seven suspicious deaths reported in the past few days have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa has urged the public to exercise caution if there are individuals in their homes who have been exposed to the teachings of a person named Ruwan Prasanna Gunaratne. Gunaratne was recently found dead after ingesting poison in Homagama.
Two other individuals closely associated with Ruwan, a philosophical preacher, have also succumbed to poisoning.
Police said that the deaths of a 21-year-old girl and a 34-year-old man, both suspected to have died from ingesting poison. The girl's body was discovered in a residence in the Yakkala area, while the body of the 34-year-old man, a resident of Ambalangoda, was found in a lodge in Maharagama.
Ruwan Prasanna Gunaratne, known for delivering lectures on religion in various parts of the country, recently died by suicide through poison ingestion. Later, his wife was also found dead along with their three children.
Investigations revealed that the deceased woman and man had participated in the last rites of Ruwan and his family.
SSP Thalduwa said that individuals who were influenced by the concerned preacher's sermons have tragically ended their lives. Reportedly, in these sermons, he 'justified' suicide, suggesting that it was a means to transition quickly to the 'next soul.'
Investigations have unveiled that the deceased preacher had rented an apartment in the Kottawa area, paying Rs. 150,000 per month.
