Former Minister of Maldives and three others remanded for alleged sexual exploitation of an underage girl.

Four more suspects including former State Minister of Finance of Maldives, Mohamed Ashmalee and a manager of a hotel were today ordered to be remanded till July 16 by Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court for allegedly sexually exploiting the 15-year old girl. They were ordered to be remanded after being produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama. The Court was informed that the Police Children and Women's Bureau has already arrested 32 suspects including the girl's mother, Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha and a leading gem businessman in connection with the crime over three months. The Police have launched an investigation against the suspects under the Penal Code for procuring an underage girl for prostitution and human trafficking. An owner of a website who advertised the girl for prostitution, was also ordered to be remanded till July 16.