A software engineer was arrested last morning (05) while he was hiding in a room at the first lane, Rubber Watta Road in Wijerama over the murder of a garment factory employee, the Mirihana Police said.

The victim was identified as Sathasivam Niranjala, a 25-year-old resident of Pabegama, Katupitiya in Elboda.

The body of the victim was found in a thicket at the DC-4 area of Sogamawatta, Udupusellawa.

Police suspect that the victim had been strangled to death with a rope.

Police investigations revealed that the man who was arrested had married the deceased woman about a year ago and both had been staying at a room in Kalubowila.

The couple had travelled to Pussellawa from Colombo and the suspect had asked for a divorce from the wife. Police said that an argument had taken place between the two in Pussellawa over the issue.

The suspect had then returned to Colombo.