MURDER OF THE YOUNG GIRL ‘YVONNE JOHNSON’ (ROYAL PARK CASE)

Yvonne Johnson was a 19 year old girl who lived in Sri Lanka. Her father is Roger Johnson, a Swedish businessman who was permanently living in Sri Lanka while Yvonne’s mother a Sri Lankan lady named Chamalika. Yvonne had a sister called Carolyn who was a year younger to her. They all lived in an partment at the 23rd floor, Royal Park in Rajagiriya.

Yvonne and Carolyn studied in an international school in Colombo. Jude Shramantha was a boy who studied in the same school with Yvonne. He was also 19 years of age and his parents were divorced. He lived in Kollupitiya with his father, Neville Jayamaha who was an engineer. His mother, Sandra Jennifer was remarried and living separately.

When Yvonne was 12 years of age she got to know Jude and they used to be good friends. He was visiting her home often and that’s when he met with Carolyn. It was a common thing for the three of them to go into night clubs, consume liquor and come home early in the morning. May be it’s the fashion for international students. And amazingly their parents too weren’t bothered about this behavior.

However, after finishing school Yvonne had gone to the US to do higher studies. On 28th June, 2005 she returned to Sri Lanka to spend her short vacation.

It is said that Jude had been in an affair with Yvonne and broken up due to some disagreements between them. Anyway by this time Jude was having a relationship with Carolyn and her parents also had known about the affair. It was usual for Jude to spend days and nights at Carolyn’s home and go out at anytime of the day with her. After Yvonne’s return Carolyn wanted to spend more time with her sister. But her boyfriend, Jude didn’t like the idea.

On 1st July, 2005 Yvonne wanted to go out to a party in the night with her sister, Carolyn. Since Jude did not want to let her go alone, Yvonne and Carolyn agreed to pick him up from Kollupitiya. They drove their own vehicle. They went to several night clubs and consumed liquor while enjoying themselves with friends. The two had been consuming liquor since the age of 15. At a particular club Carolyn has met her ex-boyfriend Pavithra and they have talked for awhile while Jude was on watch. It was making Jude ferocious and began an argument with Carolyn soon after and Carolyn was shedding tears.

Yvonne didn’t like to see her sister crying because she loved her sincerely. So she advised Jude and asked him not to ruin their happiness. Jude, who got furious, took away Carolyn in a taxi to home leaving Yvonne behind. Jude went to Royal Park with Carolyn, spent 2-3 hours in her house and at around 3 am he started crawling down the steps to go home.

On the steps he found Yvonne coming back after partying, she was trying to ignore him and just pass. After a heated argument Jude is said to have bashed Yvonne’s head against the wall. After she dropped on the floor he allegedly removed her trousers and strangled her to death.

It is said that Carolyn had left Jude’s keys and credit cards (which were given to her on safety) in her sister, Yvonne’s hand bag. When Jude had asked for the keys and the credit cards from Yvonne on the steps they have got into an argument.

Did Jude killed her with the intention of killing or did she die while he was hitting her to take the revenge is still a mystery. What do you think?
Well, the court recently announced that this was not a culpable homicide but a murder done with the intention of killing. Jude Shramantha was accused and sentenced to death.

Obviously the essence of glamour, elegance attracts wealthy young persons to night spots. But it also offers a glimpse into the world of hatred.However Yvonne Johnson, who came to spend a joyful vacation with her family and return to US, had to die untimely. And the lives of everyone ended with a tragedy.

By : Ivanka Bandaranayake.

Carolyn and mother

Jude Shramantha