Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has suspended a local council member who was arrested and remanded for molesting a 13-year-old mentally challenged girl, along with four other perpetrators.
Pradeshiya Sabha member for Thanamalwila, R.A. Ranaweera, allegedly sexually assaulted the girl - who has down syndrome - on multiple occasions with the four other culprits. Ranaweera, along with the four other detained, have been remanded until April 16, according to Daily News.
Local newspaper reports indicated the victim was raped by the suspects in the Kiriwewa area for over three months and that she was admitted for medical examination and treatment at the Hambantota General Hospital.
The SLPP issued a press statement on Thursday that a letter of suspension had been issued already and that Ranaweera ‘should be expelled’ from the party following a disciplinary hearing.
SLPP secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said in his statement:
“The SLPP is a party with thorough discipline and we expect the same from all party members. We have emphasized this fact when handing over nominations from the party, and even in the past we have expelled and stripped the members of their positions in the party when they did not obey the party rules.”
SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa’s brother and parliamentarian Nimal Rajapaksa tweeted that justice will be sought for the actions of Ranaweera.
“This unfortunate incident should have never happened! The police has taken everyone involved in this incident into custody & I can guarantee you that the ongoing investigations will not be influenced by the political leadership. We have full confidence that justice will be served.”
There was widespread criticism on social media that Ranaweera was only suspended for the horrible nature of the assault committed by him and the other suspects. SLPP have previously been accused of covering up the rape of a disabled woman and had colluded with police officers to prevent the victim from submitting a statement.
