Pallegama Hemarathana Thero is the chief guardian of eight holy sites in Sri Lanka.Image: Facebook
A Buddhist monk who is one of Sri Lanka’s most influential religious leaders has been arrested over the alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.
May 10, 2026, 7:41 p.mMay 10, 2026, 7:41 p.m
The Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero holds one of the most prestigious positions in the Buddhist world: he is the supreme guardian of eight holy sites in Sri Lanka. He was arrested on Saturday at a private hospital in Colombo where he was undergoing treatment. A judge ordered his transfer to the Colombo prison hospital and also issued a ban on leaving the country.
The arrest was triggered by a petition from the country’s national child protection authority. The police had previously publicly criticized the police for not arresting the monk despite naming him as a suspect. Pallegama Hemarathana has not yet commented publicly on the allegations. He is due in court on May 12th.
Victim’s mother also arrested
At the same time, the mother of the alleged victim was also arrested. She is accused of enabling and covering up the abuse and is also in custody.
The arrest of a Buddhist monk is an extraordinary event in Sri Lanka – the arrest of such a high-ranking dignitary is even more so. Buddhist monks enjoy considerable social respect and political influence in Sri Lanka. Observers see the fact that the judiciary takes action in such a case as an unusual signal. (mke)