Pradeshiya Sabha member acquitted as prosecution fails to prove abuse case

Colombo, October 3 (Daily Mirror) - A Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha member was acquitted by the Kalutara High Court on charges of abducting and sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy, after the court determined that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The accused was indicted over allegations that he had committed the offences between December 1 and December 31, 2016. The indictment accused him of both abduction and grave sexual abuse.

During the trial, the defence maintained that the minor was a student of the accused, and that the accused had only expressed concern regarding the boy’s close relationship with an older, unmarried man. It was further established that the accused had warned the man not to negatively influence the child or interfere with his future.

The alleged victim himself admitted that such a warning had been given. The defence also produced mobile phone tower data demonstrating that the older man had called the minor multiple times daily, sometimes up to ten times, thereby raising questions about the credibility of the prosecution’s version of events and suggesting alternative influences.

After reviewing the evidence, the Kalutara High Court judge ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt, and accordingly ordered the accused’s acquittal.

Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu with Counsel Anjana Adikaramge, appeared on behalf of the accused.