Thursday May 28, 2026
Thursday May 28, 2026
Friday, 22 May 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The case concerning the serious abuse allegations against Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thero is scheduled to be heard again today (22). This is not simply a case against one individual. It is also a test of whether the law in Sri Lanka applies equally to both the powerful and the powerless. At the same time, it raises deeper questions about how women and children are treated within our society and justice system.
According to the information shared by the girl, she is alleged to have faced abuse from a very young age. This would amount not only to a grave crime against a child, but also to a serious moral failure on the part of the institutions and social structures that should have protected her.
The huge imbalance of power between the parties involved is one of the main reasons why this case has caused such public concern. On one side stands a highly influential religious figure with strong institutional authority. On the other stands a young girl from a deeply vulnerable social and economic background, who reportedly did not receive proper protection even within her own family environment. In such a situation, it is natural that the actions of law enforcement authorities and decision-makers come under close public scrutiny.
Public concern has increased further due to the way the arrest process appears to have been handled. Reports that the police were reluctant to carry out the arrest order, together with the decision to keep the suspect in a private hospital even after the arrest, have created a public perception that the law may not be operating fairly in this case. This is why many people are following these proceedings closely and demanding transparency and accountability.
We wish to stress that this public outcry did not emerge without reason. It comes from genuine fears that power, status, institutional influence and unequal treatment may interfere with the proper enforcement of the law.
We cannot allow this imbalance of power to shape the outcome of this case. Whether priest or layperson, powerful or ordinary, no one should stand above the law.
Recent events in Sri Lanka have also shown how difficult it can be to pursue justice against powerful individuals and institutions. The recent Supreme Court ruling against a university professor found guilty of sexual abuse once again highlighted the barriers victims face when challenging entrenched systems of power, and the persistence required to continue those struggles.
For this reason, we must not stop demanding accountability and justice. A civilised society cannot sacrifice vulnerable children in order to protect powerful institutions.
Our demands are:
nA fair, transparent and independent investigation, free from political, religious or institutional influence.
nImmediate legal, psychological and social protection for the girl.
nA legal process guided by truth and justice rather than power or status.
The present Government came to power promising safety, dignity and wellbeing for women and children. This is the moment to prove that those promises were not merely campaign rhetoric. What the people of this country expect is not empty assurances, but the proper and equal enforcement of the law, and for that enforcement to be visibly credible to the public.
If we truly care about the future of our children and this country, then we must ensure that justice is carried out fully, fairly and without fear.
Endorsed by
1.Prof Jayadeva Uyangoda, Emeritus Professor, University of Colombo
2.Prof Kamala Liyanage, Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya
3.Prof Liyanage Amarakeerthi, Peradeniya University
4.Prof Sasanka Perera, University of Colombo and South Asian University
5.Prof Nirmal Dewasiri, Department of History, University of Colombo
6.Kumari Kumaragamage, Author andVisual Artist
7.Saminmadan Wimal, Senior Lecturer, University of Jaffna
8.Dr Chulani Kodikara, Independent Researcher
9.Sandun Thudugala, Social Activist
10.A.E. Rebecca, Project Manager
11.Aingkaran Kugathasan, Attorney-at-Law, Jaffna
12.Annie Kurian, Social Activist
13.Anomaa Rajakaruna, Filmmaker
14.Antonia Joseph, Social Activist
15.Dr Anushka Kahandagamage, Buddhist Scholar
16.Dr Athula Samarakoon, Academic
17.Dr Amali Wedagedara, Feminist Political Economist
18.Anuratha Rajaretnam, Socio-Political Activist
19.Balasingham Skanthakumar, Co-editor, Polity magazine
20.Brintha Santhoshkumar, Social Activist
21.Buhary Mohamed, Eastern Social Development Foundation
22.Caryll Tozer, Women and Child Rights Activist
23.C. Ranitha Gnanarajah, Attorney-at-Law
24.C. Thayalarajan, Social Activist
25.Chathurika Sewwandi, Attorney-at-Law and Social Activist
26.Chulananda Samranayake, Writer and Literary Critic
27.Dr Crystal Baines, Researcher
28.Christine Perera, Activist
29.Dr. Darshi Thoradeniya, Department of History, University of Colombo
30.Dr. Dileepa Witharana, Open University
31.Dhanusha Gihan Pathirana, Economist
32.Gamini Chandrasekara, Retired Mechanical Engineer
33.Dr Gayathri Lokuge, Centre for Poverty Analysis
34.Hafsa Husain, Entrepreneur
35.Inthumathy Hariharathamotharan, Civil Society Activist
36.Janakie Seneviratne, Social andPolitical Activist
37.Jayani Abeysekara, Human Rights Activist
38.Dr Kanchuka Dharmasiri, University of Peradeniya
39.Prof Kanchana Ruwanpura, University of Edinburgh
40.Kumudini Samuel, Women and Media Collective
41.Lekha Walallawita, Consultant Anesthetist, Australia
42.Dr M. Alfred, Former Dean, Faculty of Management, University of Peradeniya
43.Dr Mahendran Thiruvarangan, University of Jaffna
44.M. Sooriasegaram, Retired Engineer andSocial Activist
45.Madhulika Gunawardena, debt justice activist and researcher
46.Marisa de Silva, Social Activist
47.Melani Gunatilake, Climate andPolitical Activist
48.Natasha Vanhoff, Social Activist
49.Nelun Gunasekera, Social Activist
50.Nimalka Fernando, Attorney-at-Law
51.Niranjala Arulnandy, Social Activist
52.Niyanthini Kadirgamar, Feminist Collective for Economic Justice
53.Padmini Weerasuriya, Social Activist
54.Peter Rezel, Development Consultant
55.Pushpa Ramlani, Social Activist
56.Prof Prabha Manurathna, University of Kelaniya
57.Pushparani Figurado, Social Activist
58.Prof. R. Kapilan, Department of Botany, University of Jaffna
59.Ramani Jayasundere, lawyer and social activist
60.Ranjika de Silva, Former Registrar, Hector Kobekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Sri Lanka
61.S. Metilda, Social Activist
62.S. Kalavathy, Social Activist
63.Sarah Arumugam, Attorney-at-Law
64.Sarala Emmanuel, Feminist Activist
65.Saraswathi Sivaguru, Former Member of Provincial Council andTrade Union Leader
66.Shamila Rathnasooriya, Program and Operation Manager, MONLAR
67.Dr S. Selvaganesh, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
68.Shyama Basnayake, Political Activist
69.Safiya Riyaz, SAHR Advocate andResearcher
70.Soosaipillai Anton Rex, Social Activist
71.Sriyani Perera, Gender Consultant
72.Stella Philips, Social Activist
73.Sudantha Madhawa Fernando, Social Activist
74.Sumika Perera, Women's Resource Center
75.Dr S. Arivalzahan, University of Jaffna.
76.Dr Sakunthala Kadirgamar, Executive Director, Law andSociety Trust
77.Dr Sepali Kottegoda, Women and Media Collective
78.Sunil Shantha Koralage, Writer
79.Prof Sumathy Sivamohan, University of Peradeniya
80.Swasthika Arulingam, Attorney-at-Law andPresident, United Federation of Labour
81.T. Dilakshana, Attorney-at-Law
82.Thilina Weerasinge, Journalist andWriter
83.Dr Thiruni Kelegama, Academic
84.Thisaru Guruge, Professional
85.Dr Tush Wickramanayake, Chairperson, Stop Child Cruelty Trust
86.Udeni Thewarapperuma, Attorney-at-Law
87.Prof. Uthpala Jayawardena, Open University
88.Varaluxmy Jeganathan, Social Activist
89.Vidura Munasinghe, Attorney-at-Law andActivist
90.Visaka Dharmadasa Association of War Affected Women
91.Vishmitha Parameshwaran, Social Activist
92.V. Balananthini, Social Activist
93.Dr Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Filmmaker
94.Dr Vivimarie Vanderpoorten, Open University
