The police have taken steps to monitor guest houses under a strict plan to curb child molestations and rape cases. A circular had been issued by IGP N.K. Illangakone to all senior police officers in charge of each province and district to take necessary action against such places if they are found facilitating crimes and accommodating criminals.

Recently the police raided a so called orphanage where they arrested an 85-year-old person for sexually abusing 13 under aged girls.

Police noted that the land was handed over to the caretaker of the orphanage by the suspect. However he had been visiting the children everyday.

The orphanage was subjected to be shut down by the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and since then the children were at an orphanage in Kegalle.

They had confessed that the suspect had been sexually abusing them for a considerable period. Authorities then informed the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) which subsequently informed the police.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said that strict legal action would be taken against those who facilitate suspects to commit such crimes and also against places for accommodating them under the 286 sentence of 2006 Act 16 of the penal code.(Supun Dias)