Sri Lanka's top monk suspended over alleged child sex abuse

Sri Lanka's Buddhist hierarchy has suspended a prominent senior monk accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl, a rare disciplinary action that has sent shockwaves through the religiously conservative nation. The 71-year-old monk, Pallegama Hemarathana, was stripped of his responsibilities as the chief custodian of a highly revered fig tree.

The Council of Monks of the Malwatte Chapter announced the suspension, stating it would last until the conclusion of legal proceedings against Hemarathana. Police arrested the monk on May 9 following allegations of abuse that reportedly occurred in 2022 at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple. Hemarathana has since been granted bail and is barred from leaving the country.

The temple, which draws thousands of devotees daily, is home to a sacred fig tree believed to have sheltered the Buddha. Hemarathana's suspension occurred on Vesak, a significant Buddhist holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. While there have been previous cases of clergy misconduct involving children in Sri Lanka, Hemarathana's accusation marks the most senior monk to face such allegations.

In a separate incident, 22 monks arrested in April for possessing 110 kilograms of cannabis remain in custody pending prosecution, though they have not been suspended from the priesthood.

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The Council of Monks of the Malwatte Chapter decided today to suspend Ven Hemarathana until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against him.