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The Case of Alleged Sexual Abuse of a Minor by Pallegama Hemarathana ...
The case involving allegations of grave sexual abuse of a minor by Atamasthanadhipathi Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, currently before the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court (Case No. 22424/2026 B), is raising serious procedural and victim protection concerns. Even in these early stages, Sri Lanka’s legal and institutional framework is demonstrating an inability to stand firm, neutral, and deploy measures that secure the best interest of the child when power and vulnerability collide. As legal proceedings are ongoing, the Law & Society Trust does not comment on the facts in the case or the guilt or innocence of any party. We only draw attention to structural and institutional gaps of the state response mechanism that must be addressed to ensure that all parties are treated and protected equally before the law. Strict Adherence to Legal Standards Protects against the Extraordinary Power Imbalance of Parties The accused is the Chief Prelate of the Atamasthana, among the most senior religious positions in Sri Lanka, who was reportedly represented by over thirty lawyers in court. The victim is a fifteen-year-old girl who was allegedly first abused at approximately eleven years of age. Her mother has been arrested and remanded in the same case. The girl has no functioning guardian, and the question of who listens, takes instruction and ensures that her rights are protected is unclear. These dynamics strike at the heart of what equal protection under the law means in practice. Article 12(1) of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law. Article 27(13) obliges the state to protect children from exploitation. Section 260 of the Code of Criminal Procedure entitles every aggrieved party to legal representation. These are not aspirations; they are binding legal obligations. The Challenges Challenges in implementing court orders and the suspect not having been presented to the court are concerning. Despite an order issued on 9 May directing the accused’s transfer to the Colombo National Hospital from the private hospital that he was at, a second order was required on 13 May before the transfer was effected on 14 May -five days later. From the perspective of citizens and society, institutional arrangements have bent to accommodate a powerful clergyman. The girl was placed under state protection following a complaint lodged with the Nittambuwa Police on 6 March 2026. The state holds custodial responsibility for her. A lawyer may only act on a client’...
A senior Buddhist monk accused of child sexual abuse is ... - Newsday
By The Associated PressUpdated May 22, 2026 11:11 pmCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A Sri Lankan court on Friday released on bail a senior Buddhist monk who was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor, in a case that has stirred heated debate in a country where Buddhism is the main religion. Rev. Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, was arrested earlier this month on allegations of abusing a 14-year-old girl. A court ordered him to be kept in custody for questioning, but he spent his time in a hospital, citing health issues.He was arrested along with the girl's mother, who was accused of aiding the monk in his actions.A court in the historic city of Anuradhapura on Friday ordered both released on bail, police said.Hemarathana is a high profile monk in Sri Lanka, the custodian of eight major ancient Buddhist sites in Anuradhapaura that are venerated by Buddhists around the world.He has denied any wrongdoing.More than 70% of Sri Lanka's 22 million people are Buddhists, and monks have a strong influence in the country's political and social life. The case has evoked sharp debate among Buddhists for and against the cleric.The activist group Women for Freedom held a silent protest opposite the court when police brought the monk there on Friday.Hemamali Abeyratne said that instead of standing by the victim, much of society and the authorities have chosen the side of the accused monk.“We as a society must be sensitive whether we do justice to the child or not," she said.“The question is not whether the accused is a monk, a school principal or an ordinary member of society, but only whether justice prevails," she added. “We know that a child can become a victim in the hands of any member of this society.”Attorney Mahesh Kotuwella, a member of the legal team representing the monk, argued that non-government organizations and women's right groups harbored “resentment toward the chief monk.”“The NGOs and anti-Buddhist groups act with the intention to provoke the society and ensure the monk is detained for a longer period," he said.The case will return to the court next month.A brave young patriot receives a burial 83 years after being lost in war. Volunteers restore a Revolutionary War cemetery. A Gold Star mom makes it her mission to honor her son’s sacrifice. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie shares three stories in honor of Memorial Day. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credits: Anthony Veneziano, Cathy HeighterMemorial Day 2026: NewsdayTV honors those we've lost A brave young patriot ...
Abuse of minor by senior Buddhist monk: Protest held outside AG's ...
A protest was held outside the Attorney General's Department over allegations that a senior Buddhist monk had allegedly abused a 15-year-old girl, with protestors demanding to know why no action has been taken against the suspect. The protest was organised by a women's movement and drew civil society activists, lawyers and members of the public angered by what they described as unacceptable delays in enforcing the law against the chief prelate of the Anuradhapura Atamasthana, Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero. Equal treatment before the law Protesters stressed that the suspect's social standing, religious authority or political connections should have no bearing on how the law is applied. They called for immediate action, regardless of the accused's position, to deliver justice to the victim. Protestors also raised serious concerns over law enforcement and other responsible institutions for failing to arrest the suspect or take adequate legal steps despite clear allegations having been made. The delay, they said, pointed to a troubling reluctance to act against those in positions of influence. Political silence condemned Activists at the protest said it was shameful that elected representatives and political authorities had chosen to remain silent over such a serious case of child abuse. They called on public officials to speak out and take a firm stance. Calls for child protection The protestors demanded that institutions responsible for child welfare intervene immediately to ensure justice for the victim and her family, warning that any delay or bias in handling crimes against minors erodes public confidence in the entire legal system. Civil society groups and lawyers present echoed that concern, stating that selective or slow enforcement in cases involving children causes lasting damage to public trust in the rule of law.
Collective urges for protection and support for child involved in case
The statement concludes that the government, which came to power promising safety and dignity for women and children, must now prove those promises were genuine by ensuring equal enforcement of the law. pallegama hemrathana thera anuradhapura child protection abuse allegations independent investigation equal application of law sri lanka ...
