Horror as pensioner killed for 'stealing a bar of chocolate from a shop'

A 67-year-old man has died after allegedly being beaten by shopkeepers who accused him of stealing a bar of chocolate in Sri Lanka.

Dharmasena Cooray was a regular at his local market in the central city of Kandy, where he often bought groceries for himself and his wife - with whom he lived after their two grown children moved away.

On August 5, during one of his routine shopping trips, the owner of a small store and an employee confronted Cooray, accusing him of shoplifting chocolate. They claimed to have CCTV footage as proof.

What followed was a brutal assault. According to police, the two men allegedly dragged Cooray inside the store before punching, kicking, and striking him with an iron rod. They then dumped him by the roadside, according to reports.

Cooray was left with severe injuries to his head and legs until a passer-by, recognising him, rushed him to hospital. While undergoing treatment, he managed to give a statement to police - identifying both attackers.

Despite medical care, Cooray's condition worsened, and 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.