The decomposed body found hanging from a tree at the Peradeniya University premises on Monday morning was identified as that of the main witness in the case connected to the ragging of freshers in 2011.

Police said the victim was identified as 24-year-old Dikowita Kankanamge Nishantha, a student of the Arts Faculty of the Peradeniya University.

Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said investigations were been carried out to ascertain whether it was a suicide or a murder.

The body was discovered yesterday by a group of boy scouts who were engaged in clearing the land near the Marcus Fernando Hall and informed the University authorities.

Earlier, Nishantha’s relatives in  complaints to the Angunakolapelessa Police and Peradeniya Police said he had been missing from January 26.

Peradeniya police are conducting the investigations.(DS)