CA upholds monk’s conviction for abusing novice

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by a Buddhist monk convicted of sexually abusing a novice monk. The court upheld his conviction and sentences of 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for grave sexual abuse.

Court of Appeal Justices Amal Ranaraja and Dr. Sumudu Premachandra held that the trial judge was entitled to rely on the child victim’s evidence, having found it credible and trustworthy. The bench said the victim had given a detailed and consistent account. The contradiction identified during cross-examination, it found, did not relate to the central allegations of sexual abuse.

The Polonnaruwa High Court had convicted the monk on two counts of grave sexual abuse under Section 365B(2)(b) of the Penal Code. The offences occurred between 23 November, 2014 and 23 January, 2015, when the victim was seven years old and living at the same temple as the accused, a senior monk.

The High Court imposed 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000 on each count, with six months’ simple imprisonment in default of each fine. The prison terms were ordered to run concurrently. The accused was also ordered to pay Rs. 100,000 in compensation to the victim.

Additional Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne appeared for the Attorney General.