Police investigations into the death of a physiotherapist whose body was discovered inside a vehicle in Teldeniya have revealed that the victim died as a result of strangulation, according to postmortem findings.

The development comes after the arrest of the main suspect and his wife in Jaffna earlier today (24), following a week-long police operation.

The victim, a 34-year-old physiotherapist attached to the Ampara Hospital, was found dead inside a vehicle abandoned in Teldeniya, Kandy on June 17. Investigators allege that the suspect, who was known to the victim, transported the body in the vehicle before fleeing.

Acting on information gathered through a special investigation, officers tracked the suspect to the Northern Province and arrested him, along with his wife and child, after intercepting a bus in Chavakachcheri.

Police said the suspect was attempting to conceal his identity by wearing a cap, face mask and a wig, while his wife had also allegedly disguised herself. Investigators believe the pair were planning to flee to India.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly claimed that he found the victim hanging in her room and later moved the body out of fear. However, police said the postmortem examination has ruled out suicide and confirmed that the victim was strangled.

Further investigations led to the arrest of a local government employee accused of assisting the suspect by providing accommodation and transport after the incident.

Police also suspect that the main suspect was involved in a large-scale marriage fraud scheme targeting unmarried women. Investigators allege that he deceived several women by promising marriage and obtained substantial sums of money through fraudulent means.

The suspect and his wife have been handed over to Nuwara Eliya Police for further investigations.