Kidnapped infant reunited with parents

Police probe child racket:

CHAMINDA PERERA

The baby kidnapped from the Kalubowila hospital on December 18 was found yesterday by Police.

Wasantha Kumara Fernando and his wife Shamali were elated on Christmas eve when their kidnapped infant was recovered on a tip-off, from an undisclosed place in Thalapathpitiya, Mirihana, yesterday. Police also arrested a woman suspect.

Senior DIG N.P.K. Illangakoon told a press briefing at the Kohuwala Police station yesterday that public information helped trace the suspect.

"We are attempting to uncover whether this is a part of major child kidnapping racket," DIG Illangakoon said.

The Kohuwala police deployed several teams for the investigation, considering this as a special case. The IGP himself took a keen interest.

Public information on this child and the kidnapper flowed in after woman's sketch (identikit) appeared in the media, he said.

"The parents have recognised their baby so there will be no doubt over the child's identification. But we will have to go for a DNA test if any doubt arises in future," Illangakoon said.

The suspect who has two children by her first marriage had confessed she wanted to show that she was having a child.

Police are striving to establish her motive for kidnapping the child, the DIG said.

The Hospital authorities extended their fullest cooperation in carrying out this investigation.

Replying to a query whether any lapse on the part of the hospital should be probed into, the DIG said it was the duty of the Health Ministry to conduct an inquiry.

Childcare consultant Sarath Paranawithana said the chid was malnourished as it had not been breast fed for a week.

This effect will last for five days. Otherwise, the child has no major ailment.

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Punish kidnappers severely - Infant's father

CHAMINDA PERERA

Kidnappers should be severely punished. This will stop them from committing crimes like this and hurting parents, the kidnapped infant's father Wasantha Kumara Fernando said.

He commended the Kohuwela Police and the media for their role in finding the infant. "I believed that we could find the infant and my wish has come true," he said.

"All communities irrespective of their religious or cultural disparities prayed for my child. We have not been involved in any wrongdoings. This must have helped me find the child."

The baby has been named Shavis Rehan.

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Police told to hand over child to parents

Suranjith Perera, Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Group Corr.

Gangodawila Chief Magistrate Padmini Ranawaka Gunathilaka ordered police to hand over the child to Shamali Fernando when the baby was produced before court yesterday.

The Magistrate also ordered to produce a complete report on this incident on December 28. The parents were also directed to obtain a comprehensive report on the baby's health from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

The suspected woman and her 12-year- old accomplice are to be produced before court today.