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Police deny aborting sexual exploitation probe

12 Jul 2021

  • Probe ongoing: SDIG Rohana 
  • Says “no info on Kotuwe Podi Thera” 
  • Monk in question complains to CID 
By Dinitha Rathnayake  The Police has vehemently denied social media based allegations that the investigation into the online sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl had been halted, following purported information that several monks were involved in the exploitation of the said minor. The Police investigation that is underway is ongoing and has not been stopped, despite such allegations on social media, Police Media Spokesman Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Ajith Rohana told The Morning yesterday (12). When further queried about the social media claims regarding the incident, where it has been alleged that the investigation into the incident has been stopped and that several monks are also involved in the incident, SDIG Rohana denied all allegations. “These investigations are under my observation, and I can assure that they are underway. I have no information about any involvement of a monk called Ven. Kotuwe Podi Thera (Ven. Attaragama Pangnalankara Thera) related to this incident.” Meanwhile, Kotuwe Podi Thera had lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding a news item published by a website linking his name to the sexual abuse of this 15-year-old girl.  Speaking to the media, he stated: “I don’t have any connection with this incident. That is the main reason to lodge this complaint. I never called the President and asked him to stop this investigation as mentioned on social media. The monk involved in this incident was already arrested by the Police. I will continue my legal actions until I get a proper answer.” Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, speaking to the media, also stressed that the investigations should not be stopped until all suspects involved in this incident are revealed. “I really appreciate the Police continuing the investigation into this case. But if there is any truth to these rumours that the investigation into the trafficking of a 15-year-old girl is going to come to an abrupt halt due to pressure exerted from above on behalf of a person in the Colombo Fort area, we as the SJB will stand against this. I am worried as a mother and as a former teacher since I believe that all involved in this case should be punished.” Siam Sect Asgiriya Chapter Supreme Sangha Council Secretary Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said: "If a crime has been committed, the relevant legal proceedings should not be interrupted in any manner, regardless of the position of the person involved." SDIG Rohana told The Morning yesterday (12) that in total, over 40 suspects have been arrested in connection to the Mount Lavinia child sex trafficking ring, and that 12 more suspects have been identified as having allegedly committing statutory rape. Meanwhile, a former bank manager and a Police officer have been arrested over the controversial case of selling a 15-year-old girl online for sexual exploitation. SDIG Rohana said that the Colombo Child and Women Bureau of the Police and the CID launched further investigations into the procurement and exploitation of a 15-year-old girl, using her call records. Several names have been revealed with regard to exploiting the 15-year-old victim, noted SDIG Rohana, adding that special teams have been deployed to arrest all the suspects. A special investigation was also launched on websites for advertising sexual services for the procuring of the 15-year-old victim, explained SDIG Rohana. Accordingly, a former Maldivian State Finance Minister, the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman, a monk, a ship's captain and crew members, and a leading gem merchant were among the suspects.  Additionally, a cardiologist apprehended over the sexual exploitation of the 15-year-old girl was suspended from service, according to the Sri Lanka Navy. Further, the Navy will be conducting a separate internal investigation into the incident at the behest of the Navy Commander. The Police arrested the 41-year-old cardiologist over the Mount Lavinia child sex trafficking ring.


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