Colombo — One of Sri Lanka’s most senior Buddhist monks, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, was arrested Friday night on allegations of sexually abusing a minor, police said. Hemarathana, the chief priest of a prominent temple, was taken into custody after a magistrate’s court in Anuradhapura issued an arrest warrant for him and for the girl’s mother, who is accused of aiding and abetting child abuse.
Police spokesperson FT Wootler told reporters the victim, now 15 years old, was allegedly abused on the grounds of a temple in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. A complaint linked to the case was first filed in March, initially reporting the abduction and detention of a minor. A subsequent investigation uncovered allegations of sexual abuse, officials said.
Hemarathana was arrested while receiving treatment in the emergency unit of a private hospital in Colombo, roughly 200 kilometres from Anuradhapura. Authorities also detained the girl’s mother in connection with the probe.
Hemarathana is a senior monk associated with Atamasthana, a group of sacred shrines in Anuradhapura visited by many Buddhist pilgrims each year. Police said the investigation is ongoing and did not provide further details about charges or court proceedings.
The reporting agency filed the update on May 9, 2026. The allegations have not been proven in court; the monk and others named in the case are entitled to due process under Sri Lankan law.
