Cardiologist remanded till July 19 over alleged rape of minor, met her at Liberty Plaza

• Suspect had met the girl at Liberty Plaza building and taken her to a hotel in Mt. Lavinia

A cardiologist attached to Welisara Navy Camp arrested over the allegations that he committed a statutory rape after having sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old girl was yesterday ordered to be remanded till July 19 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. 

Producing the suspect before Court, Police Children and Women’s Bureau stated that the suspect, a medical practitioner by profession had met the girl at the Liberty Plaza building in Kollupitiya and taken her to a hotel in Mount Lavinia where he committed the alleged offence. The suspect also holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander of Sri Lanka Navy was named as the 32nd suspect in the case relating to organised sexual exploitation racket involving a number of suspects. Police told court that most of arrested suspects are between 40 and 50 years of age. 

Police alleged that the suspect, a medical practitioner had committed an offence comes under section 363(e) of the Penal Code, sexual intercourse with a woman under 16 years of age is rape whether committed with or without the consent of the woman. 
Defence counsel who appeared on behalf of the medical practitioner denied the allegation that his client had sexual intercourse with the underage girl. However, defence counsel admitted the fact that his client had met the girl at a hotel room in Mount Lavinia and further said he left the room the moment he realised she was a minor. Defence Counsel further admitted the fact that his client did not make a complaint to the relevant authorities over exploitation of the girl for sexual purpose. At this time, police alleged that the suspect had ignored his duty being a responsible government employee. Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama permitted the suspect to make a voluntary statement regarding the incident on July 9. Additional Magistrate made this order following a request made by defence counsel that his client is ready to make a voluntary statement. 

Meanwhile, the Additional Magistrate rejected a request made by police requesting to ban four websites that published advertisements of women for prostitution. The Additional Magistrate observed that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka is vested power to ban websites without obtaining a court order. Meanwhile, a three-wheel driver arrested for allegedly providing transportation to procure girls for prostitution was also remanded till July 19 by Additional Magistrate.  Police Children and Women’s Bureau has already arrested 32 suspects including the girl’s mother, former Maldives State Minister of Finance, Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha, manager of the hotel and a leading gem businessman in connection with the crime over three months.    

• Police Children and Women’s Bureau has already arrested 32 suspects including the girl’s mother, former Maldives State Minister of Finance, Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha, manager of the hotel and a leading gem businessman in connection with the crime over three months