Man, 37, admits murdering woman who was found on street

Dan MoffatBBC Wales
News imageFamily photo A woman with long dark hair is seen smiling at the camera. She has pink lipstick on and it is a headshot of her and a dark night.
Family photo
Niwunhellage Dona Nirodha Kalapni Niwunhella, also known as Nirodha, died in Riverside, Cardiff, in August

A 37-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a woman who was found on a street in Cardiff.

Niwunhellage Dona Nirodha Kalapni Niwunhella, known as Nirodha, 32, died at the scene at South Morgan Place in Riverside on 21 August.

Thisara Weragalage, from Pentwyn, previously denied her murder, but at a hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday he pleaded guilty.

He had previously admitted a charge of having an article with a blade or point.

News imageWeragalage handcuffed to an officer walking from a police van into Cardiff Crown Court. He is wearing grey prison uniform and is looking at the camera. He has short dark brown hair and a beard.
Thisara Weragalage was remanded in custody after an earlier court appearance

In a tribute issued at the time of her death, Nirodha's family described her as a "cherished daughter, family member and dear friend to many".

"Nirodha will be forever remembered with peace, love and gratitude," they said.

"She touched many lives with her kindness and warmth and her memory will continue to inspire us. Though her life ended too soon, the love she shared will always remain with us."

An inquest into her death last year heard that her body was found between two cars in South Morgan Place.

A post-mortem examination gave her initial cause of death as multiple sharp force injuries.

Weragalage will be sentenced on 20 February.


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