Kerala Village Learns of Villager's Death in Sri Lanka Prison Riots Decades After He Left

The news of Sarathchandran Unnithan's death during prison riots in Sri Lanka has reached his native village of Keezhcherimel in Alappuzha district, Kerala, leaving residents and authorities with more questions than answers.

Local police officials said they have little information about the 73-year-old or the circumstances surrounding his death. According to villagers, Unnithan and his family moved to Chennai more than four decades ago and have had virtually no contact with the ancestral village since.

“We have had no connection with him or his family for decades. The only address we know is Fousiya Lodge, Stringer’s Street, Broadway, Chennai,” said an elderly relative in Chengannur who declined to be named. The relative added that she could barely recall details about the family or their present whereabouts.

Available information indicates that Unnithan arrived in Sri Lanka on 2 March and was arrested for alleged possession of cannabis. He was subsequently held at Negombo prison, where he died during recent riots that have been reported in Sri Lankan detention facilities.

The Kerala government has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. Sri Lankan authorities have not provided further details about the riot or the cause of Unnithan's death.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by expatriates and the difficulties in verifying reports of deaths abroad, especially when the deceased had long severed ties with their place of origin.