Ruwan Prasanna Gunaratne was a 46-year-old Sri Lankan spiritual preacher whose interpretations of Buddhist teachings were associated with a series of suicides and a murder-suicide between late December 2023 and early January 2024. Gunaratne delivered sermons in locations across Sri Lanka and also disseminated his teachings through social media platforms. Despite years of preaching, he did not develop a substantial following and reportedly experienced continuing financial difficulties.
Over time, Gunaratne’s teachings took on an increasingly apocalyptic and fatalistic character. He claimed that Sri Lanka was facing destruction and that remaining in the country served no purpose. He sold his family’s property in Polonnaruwa and moved his household to a rented apartment in Homagama. The substantial monthly rent later attracted the attention of law enforcement in light of his reported financial difficulties.
Gunaratne claimed to have reached “Sovan,” which he described as an advanced spiritual state. He presented suicide as a means of achieving further spiritual advancement rather than as an expression of despair. According to reports, he taught followers that dying by suicide would hasten their transition to a favorable “next soul” or reincarnation. Reports also indicated that he distributed poison to followers to facilitate the process.
The first death in the sequence occurred on December 28, 2023, when Gunaratne ingested poison and died by suicide at his residence in Makumbura, Kottawa.
Three days later, on December 31, Gunaratne’s 35-year-old wife, Udari Nisansala Senaratne, poisoned the couple’s three children, who were aged nine, eight, and seven. She then ingested poison herself, resulting in a murder-suicide at the family’s home in Malabe.
The deaths subsequently extended to people within Gunaratne’s broader circle of followers. Following his funeral, on January 2, 2024, a 34-year-old follower who had attended the funeral was found dead from suspected poisoning at a guest house in Maharagama.
Also on January 2, a 21-year-old university student connected to Gunaratne died from suspected poisoning at her home in Yakkala after attending his funeral.
On January 3, two additional male followers attempted suicide under similar circumstances. Both survived, including one who had been a long-term disciple of Gunaratne.
Key Sources:
Derana, A. A. (2024, January 5). CID investigates deceased preacher who allegedly promoted ‘mass suicide.’ Ada Derana.
Hiru News. (2024, January 5). Colombo: Religious extremism & suicide – another follower tries to commit suicide.
Manu, D. (2024, January 14). Death cult leader’s suicide and the advent of Maithree Buddha imposter. The Sri Lanka Sunday Times.