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.      

• 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