(COLOMBO) – Some 42 suspected perverts and petty criminals were arrested by undercover police officers deployed to ride on Sri Lanka’s public transport system, police said on Thursday.
The special police undercover operation was launched on Wednesday following a steady rise of complaints from women and children against perverts travelling in the public transport system that includes buses and trains.
The operation was launched during the peak office hours in the morning and evening, police said.
Apart from riding on buses and trains plainclothes policemen were also positioned at key railway and bus stations in most areas of the country.
Some 18 persons were arrested for sexually abusing children and women on public transport while another 24 suspects were arrested for suspicious behaviour.
Officials with the Public Security Ministry said the primary objective of this operation was to combat sexual abuse within public transport services, addressing the increasing number of complaints received by police stations on a daily basis.
