Police have launched steps to arrest the Anuradhapura Atamasthanadhipathi, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, over allegations linked to the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl, according to the Police Media Division.
Police also stated that the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate has imposed a foreign travel ban on the monk and directed immigration authorities to prevent him from leaving the country.
The case gained further attention after the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) moved court alleging delays in the arrest of the suspect despite repeated requests made to law enforcement authorities.
Investigations began after a complaint was lodged with the Nittambuwa Police on March 6, 2026, claiming that the minor girl had been abducted and detained. An initial suspect was arrested and produced before the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court, while the victim was placed under protection at a child care centre in Ragama.
During further investigations, the girl reportedly revealed details of an earlier incident of sexual abuse, prompting police and the Women and Children’s Bureau to launch a wider inquiry under the supervision of senior officers in the Gampaha Division.
Police later conducted inspections at the location where the alleged abuse had first taken place and submitted forensic and other evidence before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.
On May 8, investigators sought court approval to record video evidence from the victim through the NCPA. The court subsequently named Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera and the girl’s mother as suspects in the case.
The girl’s mother was arrested today on allegations of aiding and abetting the offence and allegedly selling the child for money. She was later remanded until May 15 after being produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.
Further investigations are being carried out by the Nittambuwa Police Women and Children’s Bureau under the supervision of the Police and the NCPA.
