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Top Sri Lankan Buddhist monk arrested over alleged sex abuse
Sri Lankan authorities arrested Pallegama Hemarathana, a senior Buddhist monk and chief priest at an Anuradhapura temple, at a Colombo private hospital on May 9, 2026, in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl in 2022. The monk's mother was also arrested for aiding and abetting, and he is to be presented before a judge; the arrest followed a travel ban imposed on him by an Anuradhapura court the day before.
Why It Matters
This is the highest-profile clergy-related case in Sri Lanka to date and highlights concerns about accountability and safeguarding within religious institutions.
Timeline
3 Events
Senior Sri Lankan Buddhist monk arrested; mother also detained
May 9, 2026
Police arrested Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, at a private hospital in Colombo where he had sought treatment over the weekend, in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl in 2022. The monk’s mother was also arrested for aiding and abetting. He is to be presented before a judge as police said they will be guided by the magistrate on further action.
Anuradhapura court imposes foreign travel ban on monk
May 8, 2026
A local court in Anuradhapura imposed a foreign travel ban on Pallegama Hemarathana the day before his arrest, according to police statements.
Alleged abuse occurred in 2022 at a temple in Anuradhapura
2022
The alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl is said to have taken place in 2022 at a highly venerated temple in Anuradhapura, where Hemarathana was the chief priest.