Harassment of woman on social media: businessman remanded

By Bhagya Silva

A leading rubber businessman and two other suspects, who were arrested in connection with an incident involving the harassment of a woman through social media, were ordered to be remanded till February 02 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Migara Mahaarachchi yesterday. 

The Magistrate further directed that the suspect businessman be produced before a Judicial Medical Officer for a psychiatric evaluation and that a mental health report be obtained. The Prisons Superintendent was also instructed to ensure that the suspect is provided with any necessary medical treatment.  

An officer attached to the Children and Women’s Bureau informed court and submitted a detailed report on the investigations conducted in relation to the incident.  

Appearing for the complainant, Assistant Director of the Police Legal Division, counsel Wasantha Pitipanakumbura, informed court that following investigations into a video that recently caused public outrage on social media, relating to the alleged sexual harassment and death threats made against a female employee, the suspect businessman and two others were arrested.  

Counsel further stated that the suspects were arrested yesterday while hiding at a lodge in the Hikkaduwa area.  

He submitted that the video footage suggests that the suspect had threatened the woman and demanded that she remove her clothing, while the woman is seen pleading that she was unable to comply. Counsel informed court that investigations into the inhumane incident are still ongoing and stressed that if the suspect were released on bail at this stage, there is a strong possibility that he could interfere with witnesses, given that he is a wealthy individual with substantial financial resources.  

Appearing on behalf of the suspect businessman, defence counsel submitted that his client is suffering from a mental illness and receives treatment from the National Institute of Mental Health on a monthly basis. Defence counsel further stated that no complaints had been made alleging that the suspects had attempted to influence witnesses and requested that all three suspects be released on bail.  

After considering the submissions made by both parties, Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Migara Mahaarachchi ruled that the suspects could not be released on bail at this stage.  

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered that the suspects be remanded till February 02 and directed the police to report the progress of investigations to court on that date.