Lankan teen reunited after being held captive in Malaysia

Malaysian authorities have rescued a Sri Lankan boy who was supposed to be on his way to Switzerland to be with his family but ended up a captive in Malaysia for eight months.

A joint operation between the police and MIC led to the arrest of two people last week. Several hours later, the boy, known only as Dilruckshan, 14, was found in a restaurant in Sentul Pasar, Malaysia.

In August, his grandmother S. Pushparatnam living in Switzerland had contacted a Malaysian friend in Paris for help to take her grandson.

Dilruckshan's father is a carpenter in Colombo while his mother is recuperating from an operation in Switzerland. MIC Youth coordinator T. Mohan said a payment of 15,000 Euros was agreed upon with an agent since it was difficult to secure a visa for the boy's travel.

After the payment was made, arrangements were made for Dilruckshan's travel but he was brought to Malaysia instead on a tourist visa and placed under the care of an agent called Santhi, Mohan told a press conference. Present were Dilruckshan, Pushparatnam and other MIC officials.

Mohan said Pushparatnam became worried and contacted her friend who asked her to give 2,000 Euros to bring the boy to Switzerland.

After a month, there was no word and Pushparatnam was asked to give another 3,000 Euros which was sent to Santhi through a money changer, he said. Mohan said Pushparatnam did not hear from her friend until the woman called her in December, asking for more money for the boy's visa.

In February, Dilruckshan managed to call his grandmother, saying that he was in Malaysia and was scared for his life, Mohan said.

Pushparatnam came to Malaysia on April 26 and sought the assistance of MIC Youth council member G. Kumar to help rescue her grandson. A police report was lodged. Dilruckshan claimed the woman had beaten him up and forced him to do housework during the eight months. "I was taken to several houses and every time I asked to speak to my parents or grandmother, I was threatened," he claimed.

Selangor CID Chief Senior Asst Comm II Datuk Hasnan Hassan said the agent and her brother-in-law, both in their 30s, were being investigated under Section 365 of the Penal Code for kidnapping or abducting.

Malaysia Star