Buddhist monk arrested over alleged rape of teen in Sri Lanka
The Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero holds one of the most revered positions in the Buddhist world.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Key People
No people linked to this story
Locations
All Coverage
The Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero holds one of the most revered positions in the Buddhist world.
Sri Lankan authorities arrested 71-year-old Pallegama Hemarathana, the chief priest of a revered temple in Anuradhapura, for allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl in 2022. The victim's mother was also arrested for aiding and abetting the crime.
Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, was arrested in Colombo amid an investigation into the alleged abuse of an 11-year-old girl in 2022. The crime is alleged to have taken place at a highly venerated temple in Anuradhapura, where Hemarathana is the chief priest.
Sri Lankan authorities arrested a senior Buddhist monk on Saturday for the alleged sexual abuse of an underage girl, police said, marking the highest-profile case involving clergy in the country.
One of Sri Lanka’s senior most Buddhist monks has been arrested for the sexual abuse of a minor girl, the police said on Saturday. Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, is the chief priest of a prominent temple in the country.
Sri Lankan authorities arrested a senior Buddhist monk today for the alleged sexual abuse of an underage girl, police said, marking the highest-profile case involving clergy in the country.
One of Sri Lanka's senior most Buddhist monks has been arrested for the sexual abuse of a minor girl, the police said on Saturday. Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, is the chief priest of a prominent temple in the country.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Twelve men and 12 women enter a Buddhist temple - will the monks help them find love?
Dating can be hard in South Korea. A group of monks hope a 30-hour rural retreat can help.
July 10, 2026 at 10:02 PMIndian police arrest dozens after violent protests over rape, murder of 11-year-old girl - Reuters
Indian police arrest dozens after violent protests over rape, murder of 11-year-old girl Reuters
July 10, 2026 at 12:36 PMWatch: Inside the 30-hour dating retreat run by monks
Forget coffee or drinks, the latest dating trend in South Korea takes place somewhere very different, a Buddhist temple.
July 10, 2026 at 10:02 PMMuslim judge in India faces death threats after convicting 'cow vigilantes'
Tabassum Khan has been facing online abuse after convicting 14 Hindu men in a lynching case.
July 12, 2026 at 12:49 AMMore than 1,000 arrested as part of global human trafficking crackdown
Interpol says the vast majority of the 2,070 victims or potential victims identified were women being trafficked for sex.
July 6, 2026 at 05:24 PMIndia's landmark Ram temple overhauls board after alleged theft of donations
Questions have been raised over alleged theft of cash, valuable jewellery, gold and silver offered by devotees.
July 7, 2026 at 06:23 AM