By Chaturanga Samarawickrama and Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

A woman who had  mercilessly assaulted her toddler son,  was arrested yesterday morning in Jaffna, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. The incident had gone viral on social media.  

He said the woman (24) involved in that inhuman act was the mother of the  eight-month-old male child and the incident  had taken place in Velankanni Lane, Navalady in Ariyalai off Jaffna.   

 
DIG Rohana said the police have begun an investigation into this barbaric act after a video footage in social media brought this incident to light.  
The Police investigations revealed that the said woman had left the country for Kuwait a few years ago and had returned a month ago with the child.  

The child was later taken under police custody to care for his future and to provide necessary medical attention, he said.  

“There is a tendancy of increasing cruelty and harassment on children and showing discrimination against them in society. Stern action will be taken against the perpetrators, including the parents if they fail to treat their children with humanity,” the Police Spokesman said.  

The territorial police divisions have been informed to take stringent action against the culprits for committing such offences.  

Meanwhile, the Nallur National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Officer told Daily Mirror that the infant’s mother claimed that she was ill-treated by her husband and that had resulted  her to return to Sri Lanka. 

 
 However, the child was said to have been beaten by her following a heated argument with her husband who  was still in Kuwait.  The cruel act had been videoed  by the woman’s brother, the officer said. 

• The woman (24) involved in that inhuman act was the mother of the  eight-month-old male child 
• The incident  had taken place in Velankanni Lane, Navalady in Ariyalai off Jaffna
• The woman had left the country for Kuwait a few years ago and had returned a month ago with the child

Mother faces 20- year- imprisonment if found  guilty

DIG Ajith Rohana said that charges could be filed against the woman for attempt of murder and child cruelty under Section 300, 308 and 308A of the Penal Code.  He said the Court could impose a term of 20 years imprisonment on the woman if found guilty.  
DIG Rohana said the child would be placed under  Child Care and Probation Service.