- Saturday, May 11, 2024
By: Keerthi Mohan
SRI LANKAN police have prevented a British man from leaving the country after his wife died from dehydration on their honeymoon in the island nation.
Khilan Chandaria, 33, and his partner Usheila Patel, 31, were married in Brent, north London on April 19. They jetted off to Sri Lanka for their honeymoon on April 23 and had been staying at the Amari hotel in Galle.
They each drank a Sprite with vodka bought at Heathrow.
The next day, Chandaria said he had noticed a “smell” in their room and after a cleaner attended the couple shared a sandwich and chips.
They felt sick shortly after and were taken to hospital. Patel was later pronounced dead.
A post-mortem showed that Patel died from dehydration and vomiting.
Chandaria, who has not been charged or arrested, cannot leave Sri Lanka until more tests are performed.
Speaking to The Sun, Chandaria said: “The authorities are not treating me as a culprit but aren’t treating me like a victim either. I don’t want to leave without her.
“I still talk to Usheila at night when I look at the stars. She was supposed to be with me for the rest of our lives.”
Patel’s parents said: “Two healthy newlyweds left for their honeymoon and days later our beautiful daughter has left us. From cloud nine to a living hell. Just want to see our beloved daughter one last time.”
Although previous reviews of the Amari hotel talk of food poisoning, Russell Cool, from the hotel, told The Sun it was recognised for its food safety last month.
Confirming the pair ate inside, he added that other items they “obtained from outside and consumed” have been handed to investigators.
