Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Pallegama Hemarathana Thero has been remanded until tomorrow (12) following his arrest in connection with the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of a minor girl.
The suspect was arrested last Thursday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo, Police said.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday ordered that the suspect be remanded in custody until 12 May.
Police had earlier said the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate had ordered the arrest of Hemarathana Thero over allegations linked to the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl. The Court had also imposed a foreign travel ban on the monk.
According to Police, the investigation commenced following a complaint lodged with the Nittambuwa Police on 6 March alleging that the minor had been abducted and unlawfully detained.
During investigations, the victim had allegedly disclosed details relating to an earlier incident of sexual abuse, prompting further inquiries by the Nittambuwa Police and the Women and Children’s Bureau under the supervision of senior officers attached to the Gampaha Division.
Police said the Court subsequently named Hemarathana Thero and the girl’s mother as suspects in the case.
