Three schoolboys, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested in connection with the sexual abuse and gangrape of a Grade 11 schoolgirl in Thanamalvila. The arrests, made by Lunugamvehera Police, follow statements from the victim, who is reported to have been assaulted at a school event in Lunugamvehera last April.

This brings the total number of arrests in the case to 20, including 17 other schoolboys who were detained earlier for allegedly abusing the girl on multiple occasions last year. The case came to light after the victim's mother lodged a complaint with the Thanamalvila Police.

The principal and three teachers of the victim's school were arrested for allegedly concealing the incident to protect the school's reputation. While the schoolboys remain in remand custody, the school officials were released on bail.