Senior Sri Lankan Monk Arrested for Alleged Child Sex Abuse in Temple

Authorities in Sri Lanka have taken into custody Pallegama Hemarathana, a senior Buddhist monk and chief priest at a highly venerated temple in Anuradhapura, following allegations that he sexually abused an 11-year-old girl in 2022. The arrest marks the highest-profile case involving a local religious leader accused of child sex crimes in the country.

Hemarathana, aged 71, was detained on Saturday at a private hospital in Colombo, where he had admitted himself for treatment amid an ongoing criminal investigation. The arrest came after complaints from child protection authorities about delays in police action. The chief magistrate in Anuradhapura ordered the arrest and instructed police to bring Hemarathana before the court without delay.

In a disturbing twist, the victim’s mother has also been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting the monk, underscoring the complex dynamics that often shield abusers within communities.

Sri Lanka has seen multiple cases of clergy abusing children, but Hemarathana’s arrest is unprecedented due to his seniority and the temple’s prominence. The case exposes how religious authority can be weaponized to silence victims and evade justice.

This incident follows other troubling reports involving monks, including last month’s arrest of 22 monks at Colombo’s international airport for attempting to smuggle 110 kilograms of cannabis—the largest drug bust ever recorded at the facility.

The slow response to allegations against Hemarathana reflects systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children and holding powerful figures accountable. It also raises urgent questions about the role of institutions in enabling abuse and the need for robust oversight.

We will continue to monitor this case as it unfolds, demanding transparency and justice for survivors and accountability for those who exploit their positions of trust.