The Anuradhapura Headquarters Police have submitted a ‘B’ report to the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court regarding the rape of a doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
According to the statement given by the doctor to the police, the incident occurred after she had finished work and visited Ruwanweliseya to offer prayers before returning to her hostel.
“This incident occurred when I went to Ruwanweliseya after finishing my work, offered prayers, and returned to the hostel. He forced me to open the door by holding a knife to my neck, threatening to kill me. The person made me remove the password from my mobile phone and then played Hindi songs on the phone. He said, ‘Don’t make noise. If you do, I will cut your throat.'”
She further stated that she had worked until 3:30 p.m. on the 10th, after which she returned to the hostel, then traveled by three-wheeler to worship at Ruwanweliseya, and returned to the hostel around 6:30 p.m.
Upon opening the door to enter her room, she sensed someone behind her and turned around. At that moment, she saw a man leaning against the door of the room opposite hers. He immediately held a knife to her neck and covered her mouth with his other hand. She stated that she was terrified and opened the door before he forcibly pushed her inside.
The Anuradhapura Headquarters Police informed Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya that the doctor had detailed these events in her complaint.
She described the suspect as a man approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, thin, shirtless, with short, untidy hair, and appearing between 30 and 35 years old.
According to the ‘B’ report submitted to the court, the suspect locked the door before committing the rape, turned on the lights, surveyed the surroundings, and then left only the bathroom light on.
The police also stated that the suspect had identified himself as a fugitive from the army and had warned the victim:
“I am a fugitive from the army. The police are searching for me. I will stay for a while and then leave. I will not do anything to you. Don’t make noise. If you do, I will cut your throat. It’s not a big problem for me.”
After the sexual assault, the suspect stole the doctor’s phone, tied her up, and warned her before leaving:
“I am taking the phone. You will not find it again. I took all the photos. Don’t tell anyone. If you do, you will be in trouble. I am sorry.”
The doctor later freed herself, went to the hospital, and reported the crime to a doctor in the ward where she worked. She then informed her father and a close friend, a doctor working at Samanthurai Hospital, using a colleague’s phone.
She also told the police that she could identify the suspect if she saw him again.
After reviewing the police report, Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya ordered the police to submit an update on the investigation’s progress.
The main suspect, 34-year-old Nilantha Maduranga Ratnayake from Galnewa New Town, is currently in custody and under investigation.
The Magistrate directed the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to detain and question the suspect for 48 hours before presenting him to the court again.
When the suspect was produced before the Magistrate, he claimed that he had been brutally assaulted by the police while in custody.
The police investigation is ongoing, with further reports expected to be submitted to the court.
