News

Seven arrested over selling two school girls for prostitution

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2023

editor

The Children and Women’s Bureau of Matara Police has launched an investigation into an organized racket in which two school girls have been forced into prostitution for Rs.5,000 each.

Seven persons suspected of sexually abusing these two girls have been arrested as of yesterday (08).

Among them are the managers of two rest houses, a student, a fisherman and the boyfriend of one student.

The investigations have revealed information about at least 40 people involved in the incident and the police said 13 more people are to be arrested.

The boyfriend of one 16-year-old girl had forced her into prostitution.

After a while, the girl had lured a 15-year-old friend of hers into prostitution.

The investigations conducted by Chief Inspector Varuni Bogahawatta, the OIC of Matara Children and Women’s Bureau, revealed that the 16-year-old girl had sold her friend for Rs.5,000 and had kept Rs.3,000 as a commission.

Renuka Jayasundara, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Children’s and Women’s Bureau, told the media that they would take legal action against the people involved in this racket under human trafficking charges.

The 16-year-old student has joined in this racket after befriending a young man through Facebook.

Information revealed that her boyfriend along with another person has sold her into prostitution.

Although the two girls had attended school occasionally, their parents had not paid close attention to them.

Once these girls were taken into police custody, the 16-year-old student had received a number of calls to her mobile phone from various people. Police said that they will take steps to arrest the suspects through these phone records.

Source – Aruna

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

8 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.