17 arrested in Mt. Lavinia Child sex trafficking ring

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police have so far arrested 17 suspects in connection with the case of procuration and human trafficking of a 15-year-old girl in Mount Lavina.

A 15-year-old girl was sexually exploited by an individual in Mount Lavinia via social media outlets and the main suspect in connection with the incident was arrested on the 07th of June, by a special team led by Headquarter-Inspector of Mount Lavinia.

"Upon conducting further investigations, it was revealed that the girl was sexually trafficked online through special websites and social media pages. Thereafter, the investigation was taken over by the Children and Women's Bureau of Colombo, and 17 suspects were arrested in addition to the main suspect," Police Spokesperson Senior DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st on Wednesday (Jun. 30).

Among those arrested are, the mother of the victim, another woman, a three-wheeler driver, a car driver, and the individual who designed the advertisement, said the Senior DIG Ajith Rohana.

The 15-year-old female victim had been exploited for three months and she had been handed over to various people to be exploited.

"According to the provisions of the Penal Code amendment Act No. 22 of 1995, procuration is an offense under the Sri Lankan Law. Therefore, those arrested in connection with the incident will be charged under the relevant sections of Procuration and the Penal Code," Senior DIG Ajith Rohana stressed.

The Children and Women's Bureau Colombo is conducting further investigations.