Soldiers suspended over rape

28 August 2013 04:03 am

Four soldiers accused of raping a woman in Horowpathana had been suspended from the service by the Army Commander, Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said.

He said that the army would extend its cooperation to the police in investigations into the alleged incident.

Meanwhile, issuing a statement Director Media Brigadier K J Jayaweera said that the Army Commander Daya Ratnayake directed the Army Director of  Legal Services to convene a Court of Inquiry (C of I), to investigate the incident after directing Sri Lankan National Guard (SLNG) authorities to immediately suspend all four of them until investigations are over.

“Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake on hearing the alleged incident in Horowpatana where four Sri Lankan National Guard (SLNG) soldiers were involved, assured the Police of all possible assistance and cooperation to bring the offenders to justice.

           Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, simultaneously directed the Army Director of  Legal Services to convene a Court of Inquiry (C of I), to investigate the incident after directing SLNG authorities to immediately suspend all four of them until investigations are over.

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake is very much concerned over this criminal act, said to have been committed by those serving soldiers, has personally spoken to Police authorities, assuring the Police of all assistance for conduct of investigations into the incident. Likewise, military authorities in respective areas have also been instructed to cooperate with the Police for conduct of investigations.
     
    Commander of the Army reiterating that the Army will have ‘ zero tolerance’ towards such criminal offences, committed  in civil society, has gone on record saying that the Army would not under any circumstances, defend such anti-social activities, perpetrated on civilians.”