Accused sentenced over gang rape arrested after nine years

An accused who had been absconding after being sentenced to 15 years rigorous imprisonment for gang rape has been arrested after nine years. 

Police Media Unit said the Madurankuliya Police had arrested a suspicious man last afternoon from Kondathuduwawa, Madurankuliya. Upon further investigations, it was revealed that this suspect had been arrested in 2010 by the Mundalama Police and produced in court on charges of being part of a group that abducted and gang raped a woman. He had subsequently been released on bail and had then fled the country illegally. 

In 2015, he had been found guilty of the crime by the Puttalam High Court and sentenced to 15 years rigorous imprisonment. The accused had been hiding abroad for nine years and had an open warrant out for his arrest. He had recently returned to the country and had been hiding out in Colombo before moving to Madurankuliya. 

The 42-year-old suspect is a resident of Madurankuliya and the Madurankuliya Police is conducting further investigations.