A Sri Lankan woman was confirmed dead yesterday (17) after she was reported missing in Israel following the Hamas militant attack 10 days earlier.
She has been identified as Anula Ratnayake, aged 49 and from Iriyawetiya, Kelaniya.
Sri Lankan ambassador in Israel Nimal Bandara said Anula and another Sri Lanka were unaccounted for after the militant attack on 07 October.
With defence authorities there given their photographs, her death was confirmed by the Israeli police department, said the ambassador.
The embassy expects to receive her body within days, which will be identified and final rites held.
Anula’s friends in the country, where she had been employed for 10 years, and Israel officials are due to pay their last respects, said the ambassador.
Husband’s believes she is still alive
However, her husband has told BBC Sinhala Service that he believed her to be still alive.
According to him, a video of people held captive by Hamas militants had a woman resembling Anula.
He said he visited the Palestinian embassy, which assured him that she will be safe if she was really in Hamas captivity.
Sri Lankans employed in Israel and Anula’s employers have posted condolences on social media over her death.
