13 August 2024 07:35 am Views - 256
By Dileep Jayasekara
Thanamalwila police on Sunday evening arrested 17 out of 22 schoolboys in connection with the alleged rape of a 16-year-old schoolgirl, and the mother of one of the boys for aiding and abetting the crime. Police said the JMO’s report is required to produce the suspects in court, but the JMO Hambantota Hospital had refused to examine them in view of the victim’s complaint to Hambantota Police. In this circumstance, the police had taken steps to produce the suspects before JMO Monaragala General Hospital.
HQI Thanamalwila Police CI D.M.P. Bandara said the suspect students and the woman were to be produced before Wellawaya Magistrate yesterday. He said the police initiated investigations regarding the principal of the school and the teachers of the school Disciplinary Committee who are alleged to have swept it under the carpet. The HQI said the police would hold formal investigations of the incident and take action against the individuals involved despite whatever interference. Meanwhile, the victim’s mother has made a complaint to Hambantota Police and the National Child Protection Authority against JMO Hambantota General Hospital that he treated the girl in a harsh and rude manner and subjected her to mental suffering. She said the doctor abused the girl in rude language and attempted to beat her.
A spokesperson for the National Child Protection Authority said they had received a complaint in this regard and that they would investigate it.
A police team under HQI Thanamalwila Police CI D.M.P. Bandara is conducting further investigations on the instructions of SSP Monaragala Division Buddhi Udugamasuriya.