COLOMBO (News1st): Three individuals have been arrested over the alleged sexual abuse of a boy at sea, police said on Sunday.

The boy, 16, had gone to sea with four fishermen on June 28 and had returned on August 12.

“Based on the statement recorded from the child, it has been reported that he was sexually abused,” police spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.

The fishermen had abused the child out of anger for allowing a fish to slip back into the sea, preliminary investigations have shown.

“They have beaten my child’s back and damaged the bones,” the mother of the child said. “My child went to work to earn enough money to construct a house for us”.

Police said that the boat owner and two others have been arrested over the incident. Investigations are underway to arrest two more suspects.

“…we hope to file charges against the suspects, if the boy has been sexually abused,” the police spokesman noted.

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