Deputy Chairman of Mihintale PS among 21 arrested so far

Child prostitution case:

Police arrested three more suspects including the Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha, Edirisinghe Mudiyanselage Lalith Edirisinghe, on Wednesday night for removing a 15-year girl from her parents and forcing her into prostitution in Mount Lavinia. Edirisinghe is a member of the SLPP.

Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said that the Deputy Chairman had been brought to Colombo for questioning and that the three suspects had been remanded till 15 July by the Hulftsdorp Magistrates’ Court.

Police said that Edirisinghe had allegedly abused the girl on 08 June 2021 at a hotel in Bambalapitiya.

The main suspect, a 35-year-old man, was arrested on 07 June by the Police, who carried out the raid after watching social media posts about the girl.

SDIG Rohana said 21 suspects had been arrested so far and that many more would be arrested.

He said that investigations had revealed that the girl had been sold for sex through websites and social media pages dedicated to such illegal activities.

The SDIG added that among those arrested was the mother of the victim. He also urged the public to provide any information on the case.