Gang raping 16-year-old girl: 17 out of 22 boys arrested

• The victim’s mother has made a complaint to  Hambantota Police and the National Child Protection Authority against  JMO Hambantota General Hospital 

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.