Amal Sandaratne, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest scholars and professionals, died yesterday (23) after jumping from the 7th floor of Rosmead Tower, No. 44, Rosmead Place, Kuruduwatta, Colombo 07. Sri Lanka Latest News
Amal Sandaratne is a renowned economist famed throughout South and Central Asia. He is an alumnus of the London School of Economics.
Amal Sandaratne He worked as the founder and chief executive of the Frontier Research Institute, which conducts research on macroeconomics.
Besides Frontier Research Pvt Ltd, he serves on the Board of Directors of Keells Food Products Plc.
Earlier, Amal Sandaratne held the position of Head-Research at Jardine Fleming HNB Securities (Pvt) Ltd. He did his undergraduate training at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
According to the investigators, Amal Sandaratne has been residing in the residence at No. 11 Sunetra Lane, Colombo 05. He has been treated for depression for about twenty years.
Due to aggravated depression conditions, Amal has received residential treatment at a well-known private hospital in Colombo on four previous occasions. The last time he returned home was on June 3rd after receiving residential treatment.
Along with his frequent statements about his urge to jump from high places, the treatment method has been designed focusing on that, and for that treatment, Clinical Psychiatrist Ward Officer Rajashree Nilusha Manimekala Thennakoon Gunathilake and Amal Sandaratne’s wife Ayoma Darshani Sandaratne, Amal’s father, the well-known economist Nimal Sandaratne, in the Rosemid Tower building. It has been revealed that he has arrived at the house on the 7th floor.
It has been stated in the investigative evidence notes that Amal Sandaratne jumped from the seventh floor of the house when he was undergoing counselling and treatment.
In connection with the notification made to the kuruduwatta police station, has started investigations and informed the coroner Anuttara Rajapaksa and conducted the sudden death investigation. The autopsy was conducted yesterday (23) at the Municipal Coroner’s Office of the Colombo General Hospital.
The body was handed over to the relatives after conducting the post-mortem examination by the forensic medical officer Dr. Rushan Perera.
Inquest –
Amal Sandaratne’s wife, Darshani Sandaratne, who testified at the inquest, said that Amal Sandaratne suddenly climbed up and jumped to the ground from the house on the seventh floor in front of the psychologist and her.
“That day (23rd) around 10.30 am, he was behind the counselor and me. He turned towards the door. In an instant he jumped from the balcony. No one could imagine. Wife Darshani said that there is no suspicion about the death.
Clinical Psychologist Vasala Superintendent Raja Sri Nilusha Manimekhala Tennakoon Gunathilaka testified that Amal Sandaratne was receiveing treatment at the National Institute of Mental Health from March 2023. A special treatment plan was put in place for his tendency to jump from a high place and it showed a lot of progress and that treatment plan was completed last week.
“He and his wife came to the Damriv Institute at Isipathana Mawatha, Colombo 05 on the morning of the 23rd. I met them at Damriv Institute around 9.30 in the morning. Mental status was assessed there. The assessment did not show any tension.”
His office was on the fifth floor of a building. That day we decided to climb to a higher floor as his mental condition was good. Treatment went from floor to floor. By that time, the treatment that provided the mental support needed to stay on the fifth floor had been successfully completed.”
That’s why we went to his parents’ apartment in Rosmead Place. His parents were on the seventh floor of that building. We went there between 10.30-10.45 in the morning.
He was talking with his wife in the room for two or three minutes, I was in the living room. All three of us went to the balcony. Amal was near the door. Ayoma and I was near the balcony wall. He said let’s continue the treatment till we reach the 7th floor.
“I asked Amal how is it now? What do you think? He answered successfully. We both spoke to him. He just turned around to go inside the house and in two seconds he jumped to the ground.’
Coroner Rukshan Perera concluded that the cause of death was serious injuries to the chest, abdomen and body.
“Based on my experience and professional qualifications, I conclude that suicide is due to the medical condition of depression (Major Depressive Disorder).”
“I have treated more than one and a half lakh patients. This is the first time such an incident has happened.” said the doctor.
