Senior Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk Arrested In Alleged Abuse Case At Sacred Temple

A senior Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka has been arrested in a high-profile child sexual abuse case, marking one of the most serious allegations ever made against a senior religious figure in the country. Police confirmed on Saturday that 71-year-old Pallegama Hemarathana, a prominent cleric, was taken into custody in connection with the alleged abuse of an 11-year-old girl.

According to authorities, the alleged offence took place in 2022 at a highly revered temple in Anuradhapura, located around 200 kilometres north of Colombo. The temple is considered a significant religious site in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist pilgrimage circuit. Hemarathana serves as the chief priest of the temple, which has added to the sensitivity and public attention surrounding the case.

Police said the monk was arrested at a private hospital in Colombo, where he had reportedly gone for medical treatment while investigations were ongoing. Officials stated that he is expected to be produced before a magistrate, who will decide further legal proceedings. A police statement added that authorities will continue to act under judicial guidance as the investigation progresses.

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In a further development, investigators also arrested the victim’s mother, alleging that she aided and abetted the crime. The involvement of a family member has added another layer of complexity to the case. Officials have not yet disclosed detailed charges but confirmed that both individuals are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

The arrest follows a recent court decision in Anuradhapura imposing a foreign travel ban on Hemarathana, indicating that authorities had been actively monitoring the case. The monk is also known as the chief custodian of a sacred Bodhi sapling site believed to be linked to the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, further increasing the prominence of his religious role.

Sri Lanka has previously reported cases of abuse involving members of the clergy, but this case is being described as one of the most high-profile due to the seniority and influence of the accused monk. The incident has sparked renewed public concern over safeguarding children and accountability within religious institutions, while investigations continue under court supervision.

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