Pensioner brutally killed after being accused of 'stealing chocolate from shop'

A pensioner has died after he was allegedly brutally beaten to death by shopkeepers who had accused him of stealing a chocolatebar.

Dharmasena Cooray was reported to have been a regular at his local market in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka where he would often buy groceries for himself and his wife whom he lived with. While shopping on August 5, the owner of a small store and an employee are said to have confronted Cooray as they accused him of stealing the chocolate.

They also claimed to have CCTV to support their claims. What followed the accusations is said to have been a brutal assault, with police saying the two men allegedly dragged Cooray inside the shop before punching, kicking and hitting him with an iron rod. It comes after the upsetting case of a toddler, 3, who was sick on her dress before reality TV winner beat her to death.

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Cooray was then dumped by the roadside, the Express reports. The 67-year-old suffered severe injuries to his head and legs, with a passer-by reportedly stopping and rushing him to hospital.

While undergoing treatment, he was able to give police a statement despite his injuries. His condition soon worsened before he died on August 11.

A post-mortem examination could not determine the precise cause of death. Chief Inspector Vijitha Wijekoon, head of the crime branch in Peradeniya, confirmed that both suspects have been arrested and remain in police custody.

The killing has shocked locals, with many condemning what they see as an act of disproportionate violence over something so trivial. “It’s heartbreaking that, instead of someone offering to pay for it or the shop owner letting the gentleman enjoy that small treat, he had to pay the ultimate price with his life,” said local resident Zahra Niyas, as reported by The Telegraph.

“So sad to see that compassion and humanity seem to be fading away in our world today.”

Another local, Lal Kumarasanga, said: “Such a level of evil to beat a poor, defenceless old man to death over a chocolate. Let the justice system use the two idiots as examples. They deserve to rot in hell.”

Sri Lanka’s ageing population - more than 12% are over 60, the highest proportion in South Asia - has long depended on family support, but economic hardship has pushed younger relatives to cities or overseas, leaving many older people isolated and vulnerable.

Neighbours said Cooray’s modest pension had been eroded by inflation, a problem facing millions since Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic collapse. The crisis - driven by years of mismanagement - left the country unable to import essentials like fuel, food, and medicine.