Senior Sri Lankan monk suspended over child sex abuse allegation

Sri Lanka's Buddhist hierarchy has suspended senior monk Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, from his role as chief custodian of a venerated Ficus plant. This action follows his arrest on May 9 for alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl in 2022 at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple. The Council of Monks of the Malwatte Chapter decided to suspend Hemarathana until legal proceedings conclude. Police arrested him at a Colombo hospital, and he has since been granted bail with travel restrictions. The victim's mother was also arrested for aiding and abetting. This is considered the highest-profile case involving a clergyman in the religiously conservative nation.

Sri Lanka's Buddhist hierarchy has suspended a senior monk, 71-year-old Pallegama Hemarathana, following accusations of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl. The Malwatte Chapter's Council of Monks made this decision on Saturday, stripping him of his duties as the chief custodian of a revered ficus tree. This disciplinary action, described as rare, will remain in effect until the conclusion of legal proceedings against him. The case has reportedly caused shock in the religiously conservative nation.