Study of Suicides Reported to the Coroner in Colombo, Sri Lanka

All deaths ruled suicide by the Coroner’s Court in Colombo in 2006 were studied. Close relations or friends who attended the inquest were interviewed. 151 suicides were documented, 93 were by men. The majority were aged between 20-29 years. One-third of victims were unemployed. At the time of death, 75% of victims were living with family, 59% were married, & 31% were single. The most common reason for suicide was marital problems; in 29 cases, no definite reason was evident. Psychiatric illnesses were responsible for only 6% of deaths. Future intervention strategies should include restricting access to means, teaching anger & conflict management, & the treatment of alcoholsim & psychiatric illness. (16 refs.)