A businessman has been arrested after a viral video surfaced showing a domestic worker being forcibly stripped naked and humiliated, the Child and Women Abuse Prevention and Investigation Division said. Three suspects, including the main accused, are now in custody as police continue investigations into the incident.

Police said the main suspect, a 43-year-old businessman residing in Fairfield Watta, Borella, had been evading arrest for several days by moving between various hotels. He was apprehended yesterday (18) at a hotel in Hikkaduwa.

Two others, aged 44 and 55, from Eheliyagoda, were also arrested on suspicion of aiding the suspect and attempting to conceal evidence.

Investigations have revealed that the victim had been employed as a domestic worker at the suspect’s residence. The woman had reportedly been forcibly disrobed in the presence of others and the incident had been recorded on a mobile phone before being circulated via a WhatsApp group.

Following a complaint, police launched an inquiry under the direction of the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Child and Women Abuse Prevention and Investigation Division and subsequently identified the victim.

Police had earlier obtained a travel ban against the suspect from the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court to prevent him from leaving the country.

The suspects are due to be produced before court. Further investigations are under way to determine whether additional individuals were involved.