Sri Lankan man pleads guilty to murder of Sri Lankan woman in UK

January 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM

A Sri Lankan man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a Sri Lankan woman whose body was found on a street in the Welsh capital last year, British media reported.

Thisara Weragalage, 37, admitted killing Niwunhellage Dona Nirodha Kalapni Niwunhella, also known as Nirodha, during a hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday.

Nirodha, 32, was found seriously injured between two parked cars on South Morgan Place in the Riverside area of Cardiff on August 21, 2025, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Court proceedings heard that Weragalage, who is from Pentwyn, had previously denied murder but changed his plea to guilty at the latest hearing. He had earlier admitted possessing an article with a blade or point.

A post-mortem examination determined the initial cause of death as multiple sharp-force injuries.

Weragalage was remanded in custody following the hearing and is due to be sentenced on February 20.

In a statement issued after her death, Nirodha’s family described her as a “cherished daughter, family member and dear friend,” saying she would be remembered for her kindness and warmth.

An inquest last year confirmed that Nirodha’s body was discovered on the street in the early hours of the morning, prompting a police investigation that led to Weragalage’s arrest. (Newswire)