By Roy Denish
A routine trip to buy biscuits turned into every parent’s nightmare in Madampe, where police allege a 65-year-old shop owner sexually abused a five-year-old preschool child inside his store. As outrage spreads through the community, the case has reignited urgent concerns over Sri Lanka’s escalating child abuse crisis and the need for stronger protections, faster investigations, and tougher punishment for offenders.
MADAMPE, Sri Lanka — A 65-year-old businessman has been arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a 5-year-old preschool student inside a retail shop in the Karukuwatawa area of Madampe, local police said Saturday.
The suspect, whose identity is being withheld pending formal charges, was apprehended by Madampe Police following a criminal complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
According to authorities, the incident occurred when the young girl entered the suspect’s retail establishment to purchase biscuits. Investigators allege the shop owner lured the child into the interior of the premises, where the assault took place.
Community leaders and local advocates have expressed outrage over the incident, labeling the suspect an alleged pedophile and a dangerous predator who targeted an innocent child in a position of vulnerability.
Following the incident, the victim was admitted to the Chilaw General Hospital. She has since been referred to a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for a comprehensive forensic medical examination.
Madampe Police confirmed that further investigations are actively underway. The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Chilaw Magistrate’s Court early this week to face formal charges.
The incident underscores a worsening child protection crisis in the island nation. According to the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), thousands of child abuse cases are reported annually, with hotline “1929” averaging roughly 40 complaints a day. National data tracking trends up to June of this year indicates that more than 2,000 complaints involving various forms of child exploitation and grave sexual abuse have already been logged with authorities, prompting child welfare groups to demand urgent judicial reforms and faster prosecution of offenders.
