JMO arrested over Thanamalwila schoolgirl rape case

Colombo, August 18 (Daily Mirror)- The Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of the Hambantota District General Hospital, who conducted the medical examination related to the rape of a 16-year old schoolgirl, was arrested by the National Child Protection Authority.

Last week, the mother of the girl in Thanamalwila, who had allegedly been raped by 22 schoolboys, had complained to the Police and the Child Protection Authority that the Hambantota JMO had scolded and acted in a threatening manner towards her daughter when he had examined her at the hospital.

The mother of the girl said her daughter was mentally disturbed after the JMO’s outburst. The mother said the JMO had accused the girl of lying.

The JMO was arrested on Saturday and later released on a bail of Rs. 300,000 after being produced before the Hambantota Magistrate's Court.

Previously, over 20 male students involved in the incident were remanded and placed on probation. 

Also, four teachers, including the principal of the school where the girl studied, were arrested earlier for allegedly covering up the incident and were released on bail after being produced before court.