A 17-year-old shop assistant was arrested today (16) on suspicion of kidnapping a 14-year-old schoolgirl from the Namunukula Kanawerella area, the Namunukula Police confirmed.
The suspect, a resident of Pattiyagedara in Bandarawela, allegedly abducted the ninth-grade student, who lives in the CV 2 section of the Namunukula Kanawerella estate. The girl was admitted to Badulla Teaching Hospital for a medical examination.
Police said the suspect had previously been in a romantic relationship with the minor, which had deteriorated. The girl reportedly informed him that her father had threatened and abused her. Following this, the suspect went to his mother, who was staying in Colombo for work, before the matter was reported to the police by the girl’s father.
The girl, the suspect, and the suspect’s mother later approached the police voluntarily.
Investigations are ongoing under the supervision of Badulla District DIG Laksiri Wijesena, with Badulla SSP Jagath Rohana, ASP Vehitha Deshapriya, and Namunukula Police OIC Inspector S. C. Jeewaratne leading the inquiry.
