Senior Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk Remanded in Custody Over Alleged Sexual Offence Involving 15-Year-Old
The Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, chief prelate of eight sacred sites, was taken into custody Saturday while receiving treatment in Colombo. Sri Lanka's child protection authority had criticised police for failing to arrest him earlier despite his status as a suspect. He will appear in court on 12 May and has been remanded to prison.
BBC NewsOne of Sri Lanka's highest-ranking Buddhist monks was arrested and sent to remand prison over the alleged rape and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl. The Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, chief prelate or custodian of eight sacred sites in Sri Lanka, was arrested on Saturday.
He was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo at the time of his arrest, which followed a submission from the country's child protection authority.
That authority had previously criticised police for not arresting Pallegama Hemarathana despite being named as a suspect in the case. The alleged victim's mother was also arrested and remanded to custody after being charged with aiding and abetting the abuse. Both remain in custody.
A magistrate determined that Pallegama Hemarathana should be transferred to the Colombo prison hospital. The same magistrate issued an order to immigration authorities to ensure that Pallegama Hemarathana did not try to flee the country.
Pallegama Hemarathana has not publicly commented on the charges. He will appear in court on 12 May. BBC News reported that it is unusual to see Buddhist monks, much less such a high-ranking figure, arrested in Sri Lanka, where they are both politically powerful and venerated by society.
The events occurred in Sri Lanka.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- 2026-05-09
Pallegama Hemarathana arrested on Saturday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo
1 sourceBBC News - 2026-05-09
Alleged victim's mother arrested and remanded to custody on charges of aiding and abetting
1 sourceBBC News - 2026-05-09
Magistrate orders transfer to Colombo prison hospital and instructs immigration authorities to prevent flight
1 sourceBBC News - 2026-05-12
Pallegama Hemarathana scheduled to appear in court
1 sourceBBC News
Potential Impact
- 01
Court appearance on 12 May will be the first public legal proceeding involving the high-ranking cleric.
- 02
Immigration order and prison hospital transfer indicate authorities are treating flight risk and medical needs seriously.
- 03
Arrest of a senior monk may test traditional deference to Buddhist clergy in Sri Lankan society and politics.
Transparency Panel
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