Buddhist monk arrested over alleged rape of teen in Sri Lanka
Police said the 71-year-old monk was detained after a child protection complaint, and the victim’s mother was also arrested.
- On Friday night, police arrested Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, at a private hospital in Colombo following an arrest warrant issued by an Anuradhapura magistrate's court.
- Police spokesperson Wootler confirmed authorities initiated the probe after a complaint registered in March, alleging abuse of a 15-year-old victim at a venerated temple in Anuradhapura.
- Hemarathana serves as chief custodian of a sacred Bodhi tree sapling from India and leads eight venerated temples on a key Buddhist pilgrim route, making this arrest unprecedented.
- This arrest involves the most senior monk accused of such a crime in Sri Lanka; police stated Saturday the monk will soon appear before a judge for further action.
- The victim's mother was also arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting, while a local court in Anuradhapura imposed a foreign travel ban on the monk prior to Friday's arrest.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Senior Sri Lankan Buddhist monk arrested over alleged rape of a minor girl
Sri Lankan police arrested senior Buddhist monk Pallegama Hemarathana Thero over allegations of repeated sexual abuse of a minor. He is among the highest-ranking Buddhist figures in the country to face criminal allegations of this nature.
Arrests of monks are rare in Sri Lanka.
The Independent
The Independent (US)Senior Buddhist monk arrested over alleged rape of girl in Sri Lanka
Pallegama Hemarathana arrested from hospital for allegedly abusing a minor in 2022
One of Sri Lanka's highest-ranking Buddhist monks was arrested and placed in protective custody on charges of rape and sexual violence against a 15-year-old girl...
Pallegama Hemarathana Arrested in Alleged Child S*x Abuse Case at Sri Lankan Temple | 🌎 LatestLY
Sri Lankan authorities on Saturday arrested senior Buddhist monk Pallegama Hemarathana over allegations of child s*x abuse involving an 11-year-old girl, in what is being described as one of the country’s highest-profile cases involving clergy. 🌎 Pallegama Hemarathana Arrested in Alleged Child S*x Abuse Case at Sri Lankan Temple.
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