Protesters demand justice in the case of a Buddhist monk accused of repeated child abuse
The case of Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, 71, one of the most influential Buddhist monks, has shaken the country. Arrested on 9 May and later released, he was suspended from all his functions until the end of legal proceedings. Protests have taken place in several districts with participants demanding equal law for all, a thorough investigation, and protection for the victim. Sri Lanka’s child protection authority has reported that some 300 monks have been accused of abuse over the past three years.
Colombo (AsiaNews) – In recent days, large protests have swept across Sri Lanka demanding justice for victims of child abuse.
The case of a little girl in Anuradhapura, who was sexually assaulted by an influential monk, is raising questions about how equal the law is for all, with protesters demanding the government and its institutions side with the victim, not the aggressor.
The accused has rejected the charges, and his case is set to return to court in June.
Women's groups – along with many others, of different backgrounds and religions – held a rally on 29 May in several districts, including Negombo, Galle, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Gampaha, Mannar, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Badulla, and Puttalam. They also protested in Nuwara Eliya and Kalutara on 28 May, and in the Northern Region on 27 May.
Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, 71, a senior monk and chief custodian of eight important Buddhist religious sites in Anuradhapura, was arrested on 9 May, accused of sexually abusing a girl over several years, beginning in 2022, when she was 12. He was later released on bail with court-imposed restrictions, including a ban on travelling abroad.
The Supreme Executive Buddhist Council (Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha) of the Great Malwatta Monastery suspend the venerable from his position as chief sanghanayake (priest) of Nuwara Kalaviya, pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings against him.
According to a statement released on 30 May, the Council examined the allegations against the Buddhist monk, which also resulted in his suspension from the position as chief priest of Nuwara Kalaviya until the end of the trial and the final court ruling.
Meanwhile, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) reported that about 300 Buddhist monks have been accused of child abuse in the past three years, but only 30 legal complaints have been filed.
During the last month’s protests, participants shouted slogans and carried placards in three languages with various messages openly critical of the government for failing to take timely action against the accused monk.
The main demands of the protest campaign include a call on the Attorney General's Department to move the case from Anuradhapura to Colombo, as well as hold a proper and fair jury trial.
Addressing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), protesters demanded that the police conduct a thorough investigation into this case as well as quickly expedite other long-pending child abuse cases.
Furthermore, they called for the police officers involved in online attacks against the NCPA lawyer be held accountable for their actions, and that the NCPA be able to assess the victim's well-being, including school reintegration and the protection of her psychological health.
They appealed to the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses to protect the abuse victim and her mother. They also asked the NCPA to provide a lawyer to represent her in court.
Another request was addressed to the National Commission on Women, urging the body to exercise its mandate under Articles 6(b) and (i) of the Women's Empowerment Act.
Finally, an appeal was made to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Legal Aid Commission to intervene and ensure that the NCPA has legal support and resources to ensure a solid defence for the victim.
Speaking to AsiaNews, several protesters in Colombo expressed the same view, namely that, “The law must be similar for every citizen in Sri Lanka. We ask the government to implement the correct steps to punish this accused monk without considering his position."
Launched by a coalition of organisations known as Citizens’ Power, the campaign drew many people, of different backgrounds and faiths, shocked by the issue, compelled to express their anger towards the government and other relevant authorities, like the monk in question.
"We are not insulting our Buddhist monks or any religion,” said Padma Pushpakanthi, head of Savisthri Women's Organisation, speaking to AsiaNews. Instead, “we urge the government and so-called authorities to bring this issue properly to the law and implement it correctly to all the accused without taking sides or giving favours because our children and women” need “a clear society to lead their lives without fear”.
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