The dead body of a woman recovered earlier this week from a well at Munaippulam located near Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) base in Pungkudutheevu, an island off Jaffna, was identified Thursday as that of Uththamakumari Thurairajasingham, a teacher at Ariyaalai Anantha Viththiyaalayam, who was reported missing since 16 November 2010, more than 30 km away from the island. The body of 40-year-old teacher had cut injuries in neck, medical sources said. Her clothes, bound to a stone, were located at the bottom of the same well, where her naked body was found. The SLN base in Pungkudutheevu, the largest base for the occupying military in the islands, gained notoriety after villagers accused SLN soldiers for the gang-rape and brutal murder of 29-year-old Sarathambal, the wife of Saiva priest Saravanabavanatha Kurukkal, 10 years ago, in December 1999.
Residents in Pungkudutheevu suspect SLN soldiers behind the crime.
The students of the school had last seen the teacher around 2:00 p.m. on 16 November when she left the school as usual in her bicycle towards her house in Koa’ndaavil.
The unmarried teacher was living with her sister at Koa’ndaavil.
The principal of the school in Ariyaalai told media that the school was in shock to learn that she had been murdered. The teacher has been mentally ill. Taking into consideration her poor condition, the school continued to employ her.
Meanwhile, residents in Koa’ndaavil blamed that the military or paramilitary men, knowing her situation, had abducted and subjected the lady to a brutal crime.
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