The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau conducting investigations into the questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon Jennifer Ingleton has informed the Magistrate that they are expecting to seek AG’s, advice regarding ongoing investigations into the matter.
The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau made these remarks when the magisterial inquiry into this incident came up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Nelundeniya.
Meanwhile, the prosecution officers of the Fraud Bureau produced reports on
Finger Print impressions have purportedly been placed by the late Mrs Jennifer Ingleton nee, LaBrooy on purported last will and certain other relevant documents.
Defence Counsel Chamin Jayasinghe appearing for the suspect (Sujeewa Jayathilaka) made an application stating that Sujeewa Jayathilaka’s sister was murdered recently and that he is in a state of shock and is scared to attend Court Proceedings. He said the suspect requires that his presence be dispensed with for the next couple of months.
Senior Counsel Ian Fernando appearing with counsel Ushira Dharmaratne instructed by Derek Fernando Associates appearing for the aggrieved party Anthony Hawke, being the step-brother of Mrs Ingleton who is presently residing in London made an application in reply to the Defence Counsel’s application, requesting the Court to have the said suspect’s passport be confiscated considering that if he absconds the case shall become nugatory. However, the Additional Magistrate declined the request stating that if the suspect leaves the country the suspect shall not be able to maintain the District Court Testamentary case filed by him based on the late Mrs Jennifer Ingleton nee LaBrooy’s purported last will. However, Senior Counsel Ian Fernando remarked that the suspect need not be present in Sri Lanka to proceed with the case as he can utilize a Power of Attorney to ensure that the case proceeds without him. Nevertheless, the Additional Magistrate declined to have the suspect’s passport confiscated since the investigations have not been concluded.
On a previous occasion, the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau had given an undertaking to produce a medical report to ascertain the medical capacity of Mrs Ingleton when she signed her questionable last will.
A further magisterial inquiry will commence on April 5.
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.
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.
