A 49-year-old teacher of an International School in the Gampaha area has been arrested for sexually abusing a 17-year-old female student.

The suspect has been identified as the teacher in charge of the subject of Information Technology.

The man is said to have abused the female student while inside a vehicle that was parked at a carpark in the Kimbulawala Junction in Thalangama.

The Police said the child had wanted to purchase educational books that would help her migrate to England where her aunt was said to be currently residing.

The suspect had volunteered to help the student obtain the books for a cheaper price in Colpetty, and had taken her to Colombo under the guise of helping her.

The victim is reported to have informed her mother that she was being escorted by the teacher to purchase the necessary books.

The suspect had thereafter sexually abused the child while inside the vehicle, which had been spotted by a three-wheeler driver nearby, who had informed the Police in this regard.

The child was later admitted to the Mulleriyawa Hospital for a medical examination during which it was ascertained that she had been sexually abused.