By Sandasen Marasinghe

A 45-year-old drug addict committed suicide by consuming caustic soda, on Sunday, when he failed to obtain his ‘fix’.

The deceased Thomas Fernando (45) of Maligawatta Place, Colombo-10, a father of two swallowed caustic soda on August 9 and died at the Colombo National Hospital.

M. A. Mohammed Riyas (21) of Maligawatta Place, Colombo-10 at the inquest said the deceased was his father. He worked at a hotel at Kochchikade. He had been addicted to drugs for over ten years.

"My father lived at home with us. He took drugs at home but no one opposed him. There are about 700 houses in the estate where we live and many people are addicted to drugs. Sometimes I gave my father money when he wanted. I knew that he wasted the money on drugs. Normally he consumed drugs five times a day. But these days he was desperate when he was unable to find drugs. On August 9, he said he would commit suicide. I took him to the Colombo National Hospital. There he said he swallowed caustic soda. Later he died there," son of the deceased said.

City Coroner, Edward Ahangama, returned a verdict of suicidal death.

PC Gunadasa (13589) of Maligawatta Police led evidence.