La Trobe University student allegedly murdered by husband in Singapore
- Woman allegedly murdered by husband
- She reunited with him in Singapore
A woman studying at an Australian university has died after allegedly being murdered by her husband in Singapore.
Sewwandi Diyawinnage, 32, was on holiday with her partner Eshan Tharaka Koottage when she was allegedly stabbed to death on September 9.
An argument is said to have broken out between the pair before Mr Kottage allegedly stabbed her.
He turned himself in to police before officers discovered his wife’s lifeless body next to a blood-stained knife at the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong.
Mrs Diyawinnage studied chemical sciences at La Trobe University in Melbourne and was reunited with her husband during a short holiday in Singapore.
She had told friends she was excited to see him again after living away from him for more than a year.
A woman studying at an Australian university has died after allegedly being murdered by her husband in Singapore
Mr. Kottage was charged with murder, which was punishable by death.
Mrs Diyawinnage’s classmate Elizabeth Campher said Mrs Diyawinnage had not seen her husband for more than a year.
“He worked in Sri Lanka while she studied here,” she said.
‘It was the first time they had seen each other in over a year, so she was really looking forward to going on holiday with him.’
Ms Diyawinnage was described as ‘warm and genuine’.
“She was a friend to many and always had kind words and a smile,” Mrs Campher said.
‘It didn’t matter who it was, she always asked everyone how things were going, she always had a genuine personal interest in people.’
‘She got the best grades and enjoyed helping people with difficult chemistry questions.
“She really had a lot of potential, it’s just devastating.”
La Trobe University held a memorial service for Ms Diyawinnage on Monday.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of one of our students, Sewwandi Diyawinnage, while on holiday in Singapore,” a spokesperson said.
‘Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family and we have been in regular contact with them, as well as with her fellow students and colleagues at La Trobe.
“The university is providing wellbeing support and other assistance as her family and friends grieve.”