Long-term abuse results in child's death: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Judicial Medical Officer of Batticaloa Hospital on Tuesday (Mar. 23) confirmed the cause of death of a 12-year-old girl reported on the 10th January 2021, was as a result of being subjected to long-term assault and abuse, Sri Lanka Police said on Wednesday (Mar. 24). "The initial post-mortem report presented by the consulted Judicial Medical Officer of Batticaloa Hospital claimed that it was a suspicious death. Thereby, the Kalavanchikudy Police had arrested six suspects including three women in connection with the child's death and they were remanded after being produced in court," Police spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st on Wednesday, referring to the death of a 12-year-old girl reported on the 10th January 2021. Based on further investigations conducted by the Kalavanchikudy Police, it was revealed that the deceased child's mother had left for the Middle-East and the daughter was left in the custody of the mother's sister. Thereby, the child was subjected to harassment by her relatives, noted the Deputy Police Chief adding that the consulted Judicial Medical Officer of Batticaloa Hospital had confirmed that the cause of death was as a result of being subjected to long-term assault and abuse by the parties involved. According to DIG Ajith Rohana, Police will report facts to the court under charges of murder as listed in section 296 of the Penal Code. The Deputy Police Chief emphasized that stern action will be taken against the perpetrators "We are conducting further investigations. Especially, the Police are taking stern action against the perpetrators in respect of the offences of cruelty to children and ill-treating children. So if you have information in respect of such offences, kindly contact the Officer-in-Charge of the nearest Police Station or the Officer-in-Charge of the Children and Women Bureau Unit of the nearest Police Station," Police spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana emphasized.