14 January 2022 12:00 am Views - 140
Over questionable last will
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau conducting investigations into the questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon Jennifer Ingleton has sought an order to ascertain the medical capacity of Miss. Ingleton when she signed her questionable last will.
The officers of the Fraud Bureau sought to have reports on Ingleton’s medical condition at the time of signing the last will and other such related documents. Jennifer Ingleton (nee Labrooy) was crowned Miss Ceylon in 1962 and passed away on 17th July 2020 after a sickness at her residence in Cotta Terrace, Borella. She was looked after by the suspect Sujeewa Jayathileke and one lady by the name of Kurulu who were not the blood relations of her family. It was purportedly said that Jennifer Ingleton had bequeathed all her properties to Sujeewa Jayathileke. The suspicion occurred in the normal circumstances due to Ingleton’s friends and well-wishers not being allowed to visit her when she was residing at her residence. The suspect, Sujeewa Jayathileke was not present in Court but he was represented by his Counsel in Court.
Senior Counsel Ian Fernando appearing with counsel Ushira Dharmaratne instructed by Derek Fernando Associates for the aggrieved party Anthony Hawke, being the step-brother of Mrs. Ingleton who is presently residing in London told court that the suspect does not appear in Court often on flimsy excuses.
The prosecution moved to get further evidence and statements from the relevant doctors and the health ministry as to the medical capacity of Mrs. Ingleton when she signed her last will.
The prosecution sought this order from court to ascertain the mental capacity of Mrs. Ingleton since the government analyst is to make the report on the authenticity of the last will and power of attorney. In order to arrive at conclusive proof, it seems necessary to have corroborating evidence by finding out from the medical experts on the mental capacity of Mrs. Ingleton at the time of its execution.
Ascertaining the authenticity of the last will shall help to ascertain the truth of the said document in the testamentary case that is now pending in the District Court of Colombo.
Senior Counsel Ian Fernando requested for a short date and the Magistrate Bandara Nelundeniya obliged to grant a short date, being February 22, 2022 as a calling date for the prosecution fraud bureau officers to issue summons on the relevant medical experts.
Jennifer’s half-brother and a sister-in-law had complained to the Colombo Fraud Bureau over the suspicious Last Will and the testaments alleged to have been signed by Jennifer, a 78-year-old widow, without any children and any relations living in Sri Lanka. Jennifer had died under suspicious circumstances, according to her brother, presently living in England.
The half-brother had alleged that she could have been saved if proper attention and treatment was given. He said the chaperon who looked after she had not sought medical assistance deliberately to get hold of her assets in Sri Lanka.