Special Police unit to probe crimes against women and children

By Ashwin Hemmathagama 

Our Lobby Correspondent

The Government will establish a special Police unit to investigate crimes and violence against women and children, Minister of Law and Order Tilak Marapana confirmed in Parliament yesterday, updating the House with details about the brutal killing of Seya Sadewmi.

According to Minister Marapana, the new unit will be as strong as the CID and will have fullest State support to curb violence of this nature.

“The Cabinet sub-committee will also be established to look into the issue. We take crimes against women and children seriously,” he said, blaming the parents for ignorance and not keeping an eye on their children.

“Many victims between the ages of 12 and 15 are schoolchildren, some fall within statutory rape, having had relationships willingly. Parents should be educated and kept informed,” he added.

Briefing the House on developments of the Seya Sadewmi case, Minister said statements were taken from 40 individuals from the same village known to have criminal behaviour and another 500 people falling into the same classification but living within a radius of a mile from Seya Sadewmi’s house.

“Police emergency received a call on the 12th morning informing about a missing child. The parents were unable to find her within the house. We found her body 800 meters away from her house after 1½ days. Autopsy reports confirmed that she was raped before being suffocated. Certain substances found on her body will be used to identify the culprits making use of DNA technology,” he explained.

Opposition lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake bringing back the memories of a similar crime which took place last month in Jaffna said: “The President visited Jaffna when Vidya was killed. Her parents met the President, where he assured of establishing a special court to hear such offences.”

In response Minister of Justice and Buddhasasana Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe confirmed necessary instructions had already been given to issue indictment immediately after the Police concludes its initial investigations.