Media, public vigilance helped nab missing boy

Rafik Jalaldeen

The role played by the media and public vigilance led to trace the missing boy from Piliyandala on Wednesday night in Ratnapura.

Police arrested the alleged suspect, police spokesman Senior DIG Nimal Mediwake said.

Pathum, 9, was reported missing on Monday while he was flying a kite with two friends at Ganewatte Kovil.

A stranger who came to the scene led Pathum away promising to buy him a kite, but Pathum never returned home. Mediwake said a three-wheeler driver observing the boy and the stranger informed police and the suspect was arrested in Ratnapura.

"The trishaw driver had learned about the missing boy through the media. He had observed the boy and the suspect and informed the police instantly," he added.

"Timely action by a vigilant person and the role of media helped police to trace the suspect and bring back the missing boy to his family," Mediwake said.

The suspect took the boy away because Pathum was good looking and kind to him.

"According to the statement of the suspect, he was impressed by the boy's appearance and wanted to be friendly with him," Mediwake told the Daily News.

However, he said police are conducting a full scale investigation to find out the suspect's motive.

It was believed that the stranger had come to the area recently and was providing volunteer service to organise a ceremony at a temple.