Charred remains of an individual discovered inside a car in a forested area of Diyabate, Mahawa, has been identified as a 49-year-old hotel businessman from Millawa, Kurunegala, police said.
The body was found following a tip-off, and initial investigations confirmed the deceased had gone missing on June 25 after leaving home for a haircut. When he failed to return, his wife lodged a complaint with Doratiyawa Police.
She later identified the body during the investigation. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today (June 27) at Kurunegala General Hospital.
Police have yet to determine whether the death was a suicide or a homicide.
Mahawa Police Headquarters is conducting further investigations.