A senior and highly respected Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, has been arrested over allegations of rape and sexual assault involving a 15-year-old girl.
According to reports by the BBC, Hemarathana holds a prominent position in the country’s religious hierarchy and serves as the chief monk overseeing eight sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.
Police said the investigation began on March 6, 2026, after authorities in Nittambuwa received a report involving the alleged abduction and unlawful confinement of a minor.
The victim later told investigators she had been repeatedly sexually abused, prompting further inquiries by the Women and Children’s Affairs authorities and police.
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) subsequently ordered legal proceedings, but delays in arresting the main suspect triggered public complaints and criticism.
Hemarathana was eventually arrested on the evening of May 8 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.
A magistrate court in Colombo Fort has ordered him to be remanded in custody pending further investigations. The victim’s mother has also been named as a suspect in the case.
In Sri Lanka, arrests involving Buddhist clergy are rare, particularly for figures of such high religious standing, as monks often hold significant social and political influence.
Hemarathana has not publicly responded to the allegations. He is expected to appear in court on May 12.
