A Sri Lankan man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a Sri Lankan woman whose body was found on a street in the Welsh capital last year, according to British media reports.
Thisara Weragalage, 37, admitted to killing Niwunhellage Dona Nirodha Kalapni Niwunhella, also known as Nirodha, during a hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday.
Nirodha, 32, was found critically injured between two parked cars on South Morgan Place in the Riverside area of Cardiff on August 21, 2025, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Court proceedings revealed that Weragalage, a resident of Pentwyn, had initially denied the murder but changed his plea to guilty at the latest hearing. He had previously admitted to possessing an article with a blade or point.
A post-mortem examination identified the cause of death as multiple sharp-force injuries. Weragalage was remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20.
In a statement issued after her death, Nirodha’s family described her as a “cherished daughter, family member and dear friend,” saying she would be remembered for her kindness and warmth.
An inquest held last year confirmed that Nirodha’s body was discovered on the street in the early hours of the morning, triggering a police investigation that ultimately led to Weragalage’s arrest.
