Several arrested over harassment charges

Sarath Malalasekera

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) conducted investigations and assisted to arrest several men who are alleged to have harassed two girls in the Kattankudi Police area.

At a special discussion summoned on the direction of HRCSL chairman Justice Priyantha Perera held on January 26, 2012, with the participation of the two young girls complainants aged 17 and 18 respectively, along some clerics in Kattankudi and the parents of the young girls concerned, three requests were made by the complainants.

According to the OIC’s report the two girls had gone -with the permission of their parents- to a private tuition class in Batticaloa town on June 20, 2011. Since the class was not held on that day they had visited an Internet cafe on their way back home.

The two girls were searched by two women. Then some person had kicked and assaulted the two girls so severely that one girl had passed urine.

Later the two girls were admitted to the Batticoloa Hospital under Police protection and thereafter handed over to their parents.

The Police who conducted investigations arrested six suspects in connection with the incident while two more suspects had surrendered to court later.

Several suspects who had been involved in the incident had been identified at an identification parade held by the Magistrate.

According to Police, the suspects are being charged on several under the Panel Code, including kidnapping, wrongful confinement, violently causing grievous hurt and assault or use criminal force on the two girls with intent to outrage their modesty.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka’s proceeding with the complaints made to the Commission by the two girls.