The body of Sanchi Arachchige Jinadasa, alias Maradankadawala Yakadaya, was claimed by his nephew yesterday 16 days after his death. He died on October 9, 2011.

The inquirer into sudden deaths Edward Ahangama ordered that the body be handed over to Widanalage Piyasena (50), who had come forward to claim the body, identifying himself as a nephew of the deceased. It had earlier been planned to conduct the last rites at government expense after keeping the body in the Colombo Police Mortuary for one more week. Mr. Piyasena is a resident of Manampitiya in the Polonnaruwa District.

Mr. Piyasena had said that the deceased was the son of his grandfather’s sister. Maradankadawala Yakadaya had spent most of his life in prison. He had been sentenced to death twice. However, Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, as prime minister, had commuted the sentences.

Though he had escaped the gallows, he had continued his criminal activities.

He had once told Piyasena’s mother that the money he had got by robbing banks and jewelers shops had been distributed among the poor. Later he had broken out of prison. As a result his relations had been afraid to associate with him.

When he was a child he had stolen money left in the belt of a man who had been bathing in the Manampitiya River. When he took the money home his father had smiled and not punished him. After that he had begun to rob people regularly. When people tried to catch him he used to run along a bridge and jump into the river. He had been nicknamed Maradankadawala Yakadaya due to his daring escapades.

The nephew said that he had not known his uncle’s whereabouts during the past few years.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka