By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has sought the Attorney General’s advice as part of its investigation into the alleged abduction of 17-year-old Dinithi Aloka Ranasinghe.
The preliminary investigation into the alleged abduction was initiated on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, Gamini Ranasinghe, a businessman of Kirulapana, on March 21.
“The father’s complaint is now being investigated and the Authority has sought the Attorney General’s advice,” NCPA Deputy Chairman Sajeeva Samaranayake told The Island yesterday.
According to the NCPA a complaint has been lodged against the alleged abductor, the second son of the Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. The complainant has claimed the victim was being sexually harassed.
Samaranayake said that the NCPA had to seek the AG’s advice to confirm whether there was a criminal offence or not since the girl was above 16 years old.
Acting on the complaint the NCPA has launched a fresh investigation after March 21 and questioned the17-year-old Dinithi Aloka Ranasinghe and recorded her statement, he said.
The girl had said in her statement that she had not been abducted and she had left home out of her own volition, he added.
Therefore, the case was much complicated though the case did not only depend on the victim’s statement, the Deputy Chairman said.
However, the NCPA confirmed that the girl was not at Minister Senaratne’s home at present and she had been shifted to a safe location.
According to the NCPA her parents lodged their complaint last year and the authority had questioned both sides and had settled the case when Anoma Dissanayake was the NCPA Chairperson.
The NCPA is awaiting the AG’s advice.
The victim’s father has claimed that she was abducted on Feb. 24, 2014 while she was returning home after school.
On Thursday the parents and two sisters of the victim held a protest in front of the Child Affairs Ministry in Battaramulla, demanding the return of their daughter.
Courtesy:The Island