TRC can ban websites without court orders, judge tells police

Rape of small girl: Navy Cardiologist remanded

A cardiologist attached to the Welisara Navy Camp holding the rank of Lt. Commander, taken into custody for the rape of a 15-year-old girl, was yesterday remanded by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court until July 19.

The Police Children and Women’s Bureau told court that the naval officer, a medical practitioner by profession, had met the victim at the Liberty Plaza building in Kollupitiya and taken her to a hotel in Mount Lavinia, where he abused her.

The police have named him as the 32nd suspect in the case relating to an organised sexual exploitation racket. Police told the court that most of the suspects taken into custody were between 40 and 50 years of age. Over 30 persons, including the girl’s mother, have been remanded so far.

Among the suspects in custody are former Maldives State Minister of Finance Mohamed Ashmalee, Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha and a leading gem businessman

The alleged offence comes under section 363 (e) of the Penal Code. Sexual intercourse with a female under 16 years of age is rape whether committed with or without the consent of the girl.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama permitted the suspect to make a voluntary statement regarding the incident on July 9. Additional Magistrate made the order following a request made by defence counsel that his client was ready to make a voluntary statement.

The Additional Magistrate rejected a request made by police for banning four websites which published advertisement of women being offered for prostitution. The Additional Magistrate observed that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka was vested with powers to ban such websites without obtaining court orders.

A trishaw driver arrested for allegedly providing transportation to procure the girl for prostitution was also remanded by the Additional Magistrate until 19 July.