By The Pulseline News Desk
Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, one of Sri Lanka’s most influential Buddhist clergy members, is facing arrest after the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court ordered police to take him into custody over allegations involving the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.
The order, issued by Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate on Thursday, also named the girl’s mother as a suspect in the case and imposed an overseas travel ban on the monk pending further investigations.
The case has rapidly become one of the most sensitive criminal investigations involving a senior member of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist establishment in recent years, raising difficult questions about child protection, institutional accountability and the influence of powerful religious figures.
Court intervention after delays
According to submissions made before court, officials from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) had informed the magistrate that repeated inquiries to investigators had failed to produce satisfactory explanations as to why the suspect had not yet been arrested despite the seriousness of the allegations.
The hearing was reportedly conducted inside the judge’s chambers due to the involvement of a minor and the sensitive nature of the case.
Attorney-at-Law Sajeewani Abeyratne, appearing for the NCPA, had requested permission to formally identify Ven. Hemarathana Thera and the girl’s mother as suspects and sought immediate arrest orders.
The magistrate had accepted the submissions and directed the Sri Lanka Police to arrest both suspects without delay. Immigration authorities were also instructed to prevent the monk from leaving the country while investigations continue.
A powerful religious figure
Ven. Hemarathana Thera serves as the chief custodian of the Atamasthana – the eight sacred Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura revered by Buddhists across Sri Lanka and the wider Buddhist world.
The role carries immense religious and political influence. Senior custodians of these sites have historically maintained close ties with governments, state institutions and leading political figures.
Because of that status, the allegations have generated intense public attention and renewed scrutiny of how authorities investigate accusations involving influential individuals.
Growing debate over child protection
The case comes at a time of heightened concern over child abuse investigations in Sri Lanka.
Child-rights activists and civil society groups have repeatedly criticized delays in police investigations involving politically or socially connected suspects. Campaigners argue that victims and families often face intimidation, stigma and pressure to remain silent.
In recent years, several incidents involving minors have triggered public protests and widespread demands for stronger protections for children and greater accountability from law enforcement agencies.
The intervention by the NCPA in this case is being viewed by many observers as an attempt to demonstrate a more assertive institutional response amid growing public frustration over perceived investigative delays.
Legal proceedings continue
As of Friday evening, authorities said steps were underway to execute the arrest order and continue investigations.
No formal indictment has yet been publicly announced, and the allegations remain before the courts.
Under Sri Lankan law, all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty following trial proceedings.
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