A 43-year-old married man was arrested after allegedly harassing a Grade 9 schoolgirl on a bus and later meeting her in Kalutara.
KALUTARA — A 43-year-old married man has been arrested by Kalutara South Police after allegedly harassing a Grade 9 schoolgirl on a bus and later arranging to meet her in Kalutara town.
The incident is reported to have occurred on the 29th of last month while the girl was travelling home from school on a bus near Kalutara.
According to the complaint made to police, an unknown man seated next to her allegedly pressed himself against her unnecessarily during the journey.
Before leaving the bus, he is said to have thrown a small piece of paper containing his telephone number into the girl’s lap.
Parents Informally Set Up Meeting
The schoolgirl later handed the piece of paper to her father.
Her parents then decided to contact the number in an attempt to identify the man.
According to the information provided, the girl’s mother telephoned the suspect while posing as her daughter and arranged for him to come to Kalutara town.
On the 2nd of last month, the suspect reportedly arrived near the Kiri Hala close to the Kalutara bus stand.
The girl went to meet him while her father and two uncles remained nearby.
Police were told that the man held the girl’s hand and began walking with her towards the Kalutara South railway station.
At that point, the father and two uncles intervened, detained him and handed him over to Kalutara South Police.
Suspect Identified as Civil Security Force Member
Investigations subsequently identified the suspect as a 43-year-old married resident of Kirimanthudawa in the Bandaragama area.
Police inquiries also revealed that he is attached to the Civil Security Force and serves at the Serupita Civil Security Force camp.
The girl was admitted to the Kalutara Gallassa Children’s Hospital for a medical examination.
Kalutara South Police said the arrested suspect was due to be produced before the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court.
The allegations against him remain subject to investigation and court proceedings.
