Foreign Student Could Have Killed Himself After Breaking SHN Rules & Fearing the Consequences

When it comes to the coronavirus, the authorities aren’t messing around.

Those who are convicted of breaching their stay-home notice (SHN) face a fine of up to $10,000, up to six months’ imprisonment, or both.

Despite this stern punishment, many individuals have left their houses or hotel rooms during their quarantine period.

One such individual who was caught for doing so last year, ended up killing himself soon after.

And now it’s believed that it was because he feared the consequences.

Left Hotel Room to Meet Friend on the Same Floor

The man, Mr Nishad Manilka De Fonseka, arrived from Sri Lanka on 1 Aug last year. He was immediately issued an SHN upon his arrival, which he served at Hotel Grand Pacific.

The 20-year-old was a Singapore Management University (SMU) student.

On 10 Aug, Mr Nishad left his room on the 13th storey of the hotel to visit a female friend who was also serving her SHN on the same floor.

It was said that the pair had watched movies on Netflix together.

At that time, a security officer passed by Mr Nishad’s room and noticed the room was empty, with the door left ajar.

The man informed his colleagues and closed his door.

Mr Nishad left his friend’s room at 11.22pm that night and tried to re-enter his own, but could not do so as he had not been given an access card.

Many travellers who breach their SHNs in hotels forget that when they leave their hotel rooms and close their doors, they cannot open it again without an access card.

So, he informed his friend who alerted the hotel staff about the matter. They eventually allowed Mr Nishad back into his room.

SMU was informed about the incident, and its senior assistant director of student conduct, Mr Raymond Singh, asked Mr Nishad for more details in an email.

He had also asked Mr Nishad for a written explanation on the matter.

Could Have Killed Himself For Fear of the Consequences

Two days after his breach, Mr Nishad’s friend couldn’t contact him and alerted the hotel.

When the hotel employees arrived at his door, they found that his “do not disturb” light was on.

They knocked on the door and rang the bell but received no answer.

When they finally opened the door, they found the 20-year-old hanging in his room, motionless.

He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation officer Victoria Yee said that it is “strongly suggested” that Mr Nishad had killed himself as he had been worried about the repercussions of his SHN breach.

State Coroner Kamala Ponnampalam said there was no reason to suspect foul play. She will give her findings in due course.

Featured Image: Google Maps