Senior Sri Lankan Monk Arrested on Child Sex Crimes Allegations

A Buddhist Monk Arrested in Sri Lanka on Abuse Charges

A 71-year-old monk, Pallegama Hemarathana, has been taken into custody by authorities in Sri Lanka. He is accused of abusing an 11-year-old girl at a temple in Anuradhapura, where he serves as chief priest.

Hemarathana was arrested on Saturday from a private hospital in Colombo, where he had sought medical treatment. The arrest follows a criminal investigation into the allegations, which date back to 2022.

The victim’s mother has also been detained by authorities. According to police, Hemarathana will be brought before the court “without delay” as instructed by the chief magistrate.

This case marks one of the most senior monks to be accused of child abuse in Sri Lanka. In recent months, several other clergy members have faced charges related to similar allegations.

In a separate incident, 22 monks were arrested at Colombo’s international airport last month after cannabis was found hidden in their luggage. The discovery was the largest ever made at the facility.

Further action will be guided by the magistrate, according to a police statement.

Source: Al Jazeera