Pensioner 'beaten to death' after shopkeepers accuse him of stealing chocolate bar
A pensioner has allegedly been brutally beaten to death by shopkeepers who accused him of stealing a chocolate bar.
Dharmasena Cooray was reported to have been a regular at his local market in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka, where the horror incident unfolded.
The married 67-year-old had been shopping on August 5 when he was confronted by the owner of a small shop and another worker and accused of stealing.
The shop workers are understood to have claimed to have evidence of the theft on CCTV before allegedly launching a brutal assault on the man, reports the Mirror.
Police are reported to have said the two men allegedly dragged Cooray inside the shop before punching, kicking and hitting him with an iron rod.
Cooray was then dumped by the roadside, according to the Express.
The OAP is understood to have suffered severe injuries to his head and legs, with a passer-by stopping and rushing him to hospital.
While undergoing treatment, he was able to give police a statement before succumbing to his injuries and dying on August 11.
A post-mortem examination was carried out but could not determine the exact cause of death.
Chief Inspector Vijitha Wijekoon, head of the crime branch in Peradeniya, said two suspects had been arrested and remain in police custody.
The Telegraph reported that local resident Zahra Niyas said: 'It's heartbreaking that, instead of someone offering to pay for it or the shop owner letting the gentleman enjoy that small treat, he had to pay the ultimate price with his life.
'So sad to see that compassion and humanity seem to be fading away in our world today.'
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Another local, Lal Kumarasanga, said: 'Such a level of evil to beat a poor, defenceless old man to death over a chocolate. Let the justice system use the two idiots as examples. They deserve to rot in hell.'
Neighbours said Cooray was surviving on a modest pension which had been hit hard by inflation since Sri Lanka's 2022 economic collapse.
The crisis left the country unable to import essentials like fuel, food, and medicine.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
15 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Scots gangland figure James "The Don" White facing action to seize millions in illicit profits
Following his conviction the Crown brought a proceeds of crime action against White to seize illicit assets and it was asserted that he had benefited from crime in excess of £126 million. A major Scottish gangland figure is set to face a "hidden assets" action aimed at seizing millions of pounds of illicit profits under a proceeds of crime action. James "The Don" White could end up facing a longer prison sentence than the one he is currently serving if the Crown secure a court ruling in its favour and he fails to pay up. White, 48, was jailed for nine years and 10 months in 2023 for directing others in a violent, international drug gang that had access to a fearsome collection of guns. The judge who jailed White, Lord Colbeck, told him: "The offence to which you have pled guilty is one of the utmost seriousness, involving a degree of criminality seldom seen by the courts in Scotland." White was a leading figure of the serious organised crime group run by brothers James and Barry Gillespie, from Rutherlgen, in South Lanarkshire. Police have said they believe the brothers were killed while on the run in South America. White, formerly of Gartcosh, in North Lanarkshire, was brought back from Brazil to face justice in Scotland after being held in custody in the South American country while awaiting extradition. He admitted directing others involved in serious and organised crime between May 2013 and March 2023 in Scotland, England, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil in criminal actions, including the importation of cocaine and cannabis. He also had under his control pistols, submachine guns, silencers and a fragmentation grenade for use in acts of violence. He also orchestrated a plan to locate and shoot Robert Allan who had been supplied with cocaine which belonged to the Gillespie brothers. White was also involved in instructing others to conceal and transfer criminal property by hiding cash in vehicles and premises "in the interests of furthering organised crime". Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Following his conviction the Crown brought a proceeds of crime action against White to seize illicit assets and it was asserted that he had benefited from crime in excess of £126 million but it was claimed that he has less than £200,000 in available assets to meet a confiscation order. A two day hearing in the action was set down for September this year but the High Court in Edinburgh heard it was now considered a four day hearing should take place next year. Advocate depute Bryan Heaney said: "This is an anxious case concerning Mr White who pled guilty to being a leader of one of Scotland's largest organised crime groups." "Given what he pled guilty to he was given as long a sentence as the judge could manage under the statute." Mr Heaney said: "The Crown would be looking for an order in this case to the tune of many millions of pounds." The court can determine whether there are hidden assets that should be taken into account when making a confiscation order against an individual. Mr Heaney said that if such an order was made against White for £10 million for example and he was to say he could not pay up he could face up to 14 years in prison. The judge, Lady Poole, agreed to fix a four day hearing to deal with the case.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Young man tragically killed in horror crash as driver fights for his life
A 22-year-old male passenger was pronounced dead at the scene in Fife. A young passenger has tragically been killed in a horror crash in Fife as the driver battles for his life in hospital. Emergency personnel raced to the B996 at the junction for the B9097 near Blairadam at around 10.50pm on Sunday, August 17, after receiving reports of a collision involving a black Seat Leon car. Crews attended and a 22-year-old male passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. Police Scotland have informed his family of the terrible news. The driver, a 21-year-old man, was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. His condition has been described as life-threatening. A second passenger, a 20-year-old man, was also raced to hospital with serious injuries. The road was cordoned off to allow for crash investigations to take place and re-opened around 10.30am. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the crash and officers are appealing for information. Sergeant David Farr said: 'My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at this difficult time. 'I would urge anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the crash and witnessed what happened, or has any dashcam footage which could assist, to please get in touch with officers.' Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 4040 of 17 August, 2025. A spokesperson from Police Scotland said: "Road Policing officers are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the B996 at the junction for the B9097 near Blaireadam. "The crash took place around 10.50pm on Sunday, 17 August, 2025 and involved a black Seat Leon car. "Emergency services attended and a 22-year-old man, a passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family is aware. "The 21-year-old male driver was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and his condition is described as life-threatening. A 20-year-old man, also a passenger, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. "The road was closed to allow for crash investigations to take place and re-opened around 10.30am." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. We're also on Facebook - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Record Online
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
BBC bosses 'unable to retrieve Huw Edwards' £200k salary' amid huge job cuts
BBC staff are reportedly angry at bosses who are yet to recoup Huw Edwards' £200,000 salary after over a year. The disgraced TV star, 63, pled guilty to having indecent images of children, including those as young as seven, in July 2024. He had admitted to three charges of making indecent photographs and receiving 41 illegal images from a convicted paedophile over WhatsApp. Edwards was handed a six-month suspended prison term, and the BBC subsequently demanded he repay five months' worth of salary, covering the period from his arrest in November 2023 until his resignation in April the following year. According to reports, there are members of staff disgruntled at bosses not reclaiming the money while cutting 155 roles in the news division as part of a bid to save an estimated £24million. 'Huw Edwards has not returned any money paid to him by the BBC after his arrest, in respect of any of his work for either BBC public service or the BBC's commercial operations,' the BBC said. 'The BBC has asked for all the money paid to Huw Edwards by the BBC for the period November 2023 (arrest) and April 2024 (resignation) to be returned.' An insider told The Sun that 'everyone is raging about it' behind the scenes. As well as strong feelings towards Edwards following his conviction, it's reported that are angry that 'gutless bosses seem unwilling or unable to do anything about it' in terms of the money. In May this year, BBC chairman Dr Shah reiterated calls for the money to be returned. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'Frankly, if Huw is listening to this: Give it back Huw, just give it back. Really, just give it back. You know you should and you should do it,' Dr Shah, who has been BBC chairman since March 2024, told Times Radio. He added: 'We've been asking him and asking him and asking him. We're getting legal advice on it.' The corporation has made a number of public requests to Edwards regarding the money, and in August 2024 the BBC Board said: 'Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime. 'Had he been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, we would never have continued to pay him public money.' BBC director-general Tim Davie had explained to Amol Rajan that the BBC's current policy indicates someone should be 'paid until charged', which is why the former newsreader received his salary after his November arrest. More Trending 'We want the money back and we've asked for it back, and we're waiting to hear back,' Davie added. Edwards had been on screens for 40 years and rose to become the highest-paid presenter on the channel with his 2023/2024 pay bracket of £475,000 to £479,999. View More » Metro has contacted reps for Huw Edwards and the BBC for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: MasterChef winner claims John Torode was 'hung out to dry' by BBC bosses MORE: James Norton suffers horror injury on set of new BBC series MORE: BBC iPlayer now streaming 'mind-blowing' Christopher Nolan film
