The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court yesterday (15) dismissed a request by a former army soldier, currently held in remand, who sought permission to deliver an additional statement in court regarding a sexual assault case.

The case concerns the alleged sexual assault of a female doctor undergoing training at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. The request was taken up before Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya.

During the hearing, Sub Inspector A.C. Dayananda of the Anuradhapura Police’s Child and Women’s Bureau opposed the move, stating that the suspect was attempting to misuse the court platform to disseminate misleading and defamatory remarks against the victim. The police further alleged that the suspect aimed to manipulate media coverage to cause psychological harm to the doctor.

It was also revealed that the suspect had previously made a statement in open court falsely claiming the act in question was consensual, a claim which police have categorically rejected.

Emphasising the malicious nature of the suspect’s actions, police urged the court not to permit further statements intended to mislead proceedings and waste judicial time.

Meanwhile, the court issued an order directing police to submit the mobile phone of the victim, which had reportedly been hidden by the suspect after the alleged abduction, for forensic analysis. The government forensic examiner is to prepare and submit a report to the court.

The accused, a resident of Galnewa new town and a former member of the Sri Lanka Army, remains in custody and has been further remanded until 29 July.

Earlier directives from the court included presenting the suspect for a DNA test and submitting the corresponding medical examination report.

Police also confirmed that investigations into the incident are still ongoing. Notably, the suspect was previously identified by the victim during an identification parade held under judicial supervision.