A jealous husband who stabbed his “beautiful” ex-wife to death just weeks after she left him for a new man was jailed for life.
Abusive Thisara Weragalage, 38, lay in wait for his former wife to leave for work – and then set upon her with knives he bought from the shop the day before.
Tragic Nirodha Niwunhella, 32, was found dead lying between two cars on a suburban street having suffered multiple stab wounds.
Care worker Nirodha had bravely left Weragalage after quitting their sexless marriage and struck up a new relationship with a colleague.
But controlling Weragalage could not handle the split – and threatened to kill his wife and her new partner James Stevenson.
A court heard laundry worker Weragalage “spied” on the couple and staked out the car park outside Mr Stevenson’s home for several days before the killing to monitor her movements.
He bought three kitchen knives from a supermarket the day before the attack – and used one to kill her.
Prosecutor Michael Jones KC said: “Nirodha’s murder was not a chance encounter between her and the defendant.
“Rather, the defendant had been planning his fatal attack on Nirodha driven by the fact that she had clearly moved on from their relationship and his behaviour towards her.”
Mr Jones said Weragalage visited the car park at South Morgan Place in Riverside, Cardiff “no fewer than eight occasions” in the days leading up to the murder where he took pictures of Nirodha’s car.
The couple married in Sri Lanka in 2017 before moving to the UK in 2022 – but within weeks of the move problems developed in their relationship.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Nirodha had confessed to Mr Stevenson that Weragalage had abused her during their marriage and that there were “sexual issues” in the relationship.
After she left Weragalage, the defendant would call Nirodha’s father and text Mr Stevenson asking them to tell her to go back to him.
Mr Jones said that after attacking Nirodha, Weragalage fled the scene in his car before his wife was found severely injured by a passing dog walker.
Paramedics arrived at 7.37am but were unable to save Nirodha who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Weragalage was arrested after he tried to throw himself in front of a lorry around an hour after the attack.
He pleaded guilty to murder and possessing a knife following her killing in August last year.
Andrew Taylor, defending, said: “It may sound hollow to the people affected by this but he does say is he is sorry for what he did.
Judge Daniel Williams jailed Weragalage for life and told him he must serve a minimum of 23 years and 91 days behind bars.
He told him: “You could not accept that your marriage was at an end. You could not accept Nirodha making her own choices to live a life without you.
“Nirodha’s relationship with James Stevenson became your sole and obsessive focus.”
He added: “In the car park you confronted her, you were armed with one of the knives you bought the day before and you set upon her.
“She sustained 20 wounds, she had no chance of surviving the attack. The handle of the knife blade snapped during the onslaught.”
Judge Williams said Nirodha lived an “all too short life” but had “radiated light and joy”.
In a tribute, Nirodha’s family said: “We remember Nirodha as a cherished daughter, family member and dear friend to many. Nirodha will be forever remembered with peace, love and gratitude.
“She touched many lives with her kindness and warmth and her memory will continue to inspire us.
‘”Though her life ended too soon, the love she shared will always remain with us. Rest in peace angel.”
Speaking after the sentence Emma Davies of the CPS said: “Thisara Weragalage planned his attack, visiting the area several times leading up to it and buying the murder weapon.
“His premeditation was a significant factor in this shocking murder.
“The strong evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service demonstrated his intention and resulted in a guilty plea.
“The Crown Prosecution Service are working together with the police to build strong cases against those who perpetrate violence against women and girls, and our prosecutors are making sure more victims of these abhorrent and devastating crimes receive the justice they deserve.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Nirodha who have suffered a tragic loss.”
