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Senior monk faces arrest order over alleged sexual abuse of minor ...
Police have launched steps to arrest the Anuradhapura Atamasthanadhipathi, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, over allegations linked to the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl, according to a statement issued by the Police Media Division. In a statement issued today, Police said the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate had also imposed a foreign travel ban on the monk and directed immigration authorities to prevent him from leaving the country. The development comes after the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) moved court alleging delays in the arrest of the suspect despite repeated requests to law enforcement authorities. According to Police, the investigation began after a complaint was lodged with the Nittambuwa Police on March 06, 2026 alleging that a minor girl had been abducted and detained. An initial suspect was arrested and produced before the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court, while the victim was placed under protection at a child care centre in Ragama. During subsequent investigations, the girl had reportedly disclosed details relating to an earlier incident of sexual abuse. Police said investigations were then launched under the supervision of senior officers in the Gampaha Division by the Nittambuwa Police and the Women and Children’s Bureau. Police investigators later carried out inspections at the location where the alleged abuse first took place and submitted forensic and other evidence before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court. On May 08, Police submitted a further report to court seeking permission to record video evidence from the victim through the National Child Protection Authority. Police said the court named Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera and the girl’s mother as suspects in the case, while issuing an order preventing the monk from travelling overseas. The mother of the 15-year-old girl was arrested today on allegations of aiding and abetting the offence and allegedly selling the child for money. She was remanded until May 15 after being produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court. According to reports, the hearing was held in the Magistrate’s chambers and attended by NCPA Chairperson, retired High Court Judge Inoka Ranasinghe, Law Enforcement Unit Director Sajeevani Abeyratne, and Assistant Director Attorney-at-Law Hansi Halangoda. Further investigations are being conducted by the Nittambuwa Police Women and Children’s Bureau under the supervision of the Police and the NCPA. (Newswire) 2026-05-08
Court Orders Arrest of Atamasthanadhipathi Monk for Abusing Girl -
Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate orders immediate arrest of Atamasthanadhipathi monk Pallegama Hemarathana Thero and victim’s mother over sexual abuse of 15-year-old girl. Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasidu Wickramaratne today (08) ordered the Nittambuwa Police to immediately arrest and produce before court the Atamasthanadhipathi (Chief Custodian of the Eight Sacred Sites) of Anuradhapura, Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, and the mother of the victim, in connection with the serious sexual abuse of a 15 year old minor girl. The court also issued an order to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to immediately prevent Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, who has been named as a suspect in the incident, from leaving the country. Follow The Morning Telegraph WhatsApp Channel Get breaking updates, instant alerts, and exclusives. Join Now Following the directive of the Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), retired High Court Judge Inoka Ranasinghe, the Authority’s Director of Law Enforcement, Attorney at Law Sajeevani Abeyrathne, appeared before court and secured these orders. The court noted that despite several written and verbal inquiries as to why the suspect monk had not been arrested, the police had not responded properly. Due to the slow nature of police investigations, the Authority decided to call this case through a motion to ensure justice for the victim. After considering the facts presented, the Magistrate authorized the Nittambuwa Police to name the Atamasthanadhipathi monk and the victim’s mother as suspects in this crime. Accordingly, the police were ordered to arrest both of them immediately and produce them before court. Investigations have also been conducted regarding two other suspects in connection with this incident, and the case is being heard under B Report No. 22424/2026. Post navigation
Rapist of lady doctor at Anuradhapura identified as army deserter ...
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the suspect in the rape of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura teaching hospital has been identified as an army deserter and he will be apprehended shortly. ..
Boyfriend of minor who was allegedly abused by Atamasthanadhipathi ...
The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne has ordered the Gampaha Police Children and Women's Bureau to forward case productions to the Government Analyst's Department and submit a report to the court in connection with allegations that a 15-year-old girl was subjected to repeated sexual abuse by Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero and 02 other […]
