Former journalist Mel murdered

Monday, 3 February 2014 01:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former AFP Journalist and senior economic reporter Mel Gunasekera was found stabbed to death in her home in Battaramulla yesterday morning. Gunesekera who was 40 years old was Assistant Vice President of Fitch Ratings Lanka at the time of her death. Her body was discovered by her parents when they returned from church on Sunday morning, police said. Gunesekera had been alone at her home

at the time of the intrusion, the reports said. Police are suspecting a failed robbery, Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana said, adding that investigations were still underway. The suspect is believed to have entered the Journalist’s home through the front window while Gunasekera was still asleep. Her body had been discovered near the pantry with slash wounds on her neck, police said. Gunasekera’s neighbours had installed CCTVs with a view of the road and police are now surveying that footage to examine if the suspect could be identified. A magisterial inquiry was conducted into the murder late last morning. Police also used sniffer dogs on the scene during their investigations. Mel Gunasekera, who reported primarily on economic and political affairs, had worked with the AFP Colombo Bureau for five years before joining Fitch Ratings Lanka in 2012. She also served as Assistant Business Editor at the Sunday Times and was the Founding Editor of Lanka Business Online, a premier economic news portal in Sri Lanka. (DB)