Nearly 1,500 rapes including statutory rapes and rape of children have been reported to the Sri Lanka Police within the first nine months of this year which is an increase of rapes when compared to the first nine month of last year.

Police said a total of 199 rapes, 951 statutory rapes (nonforcible sexual activity in which the girl is below the age of consent) and 273 rape cases on children was reported as of September 30 this year while 190 rape cases, 1,021 statutory rapes and 264 rape cases on children were reported within the same period last year. Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the total number of rapes reported to the police last year was 250. He said 1,382 statutory rapes were reported last year alone.

The spokesman said most of the statutory rapes were related to love affairs. However, it is considered as rape as the victim is under 16-year old.

According to the section 363 of the Penal Code of Sri Lanka, it establishes that sexual intercourse with a girl below the age of 16 (with or without her consent) amounts to statutory rape.