The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (08) ordered that Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thero and the girl’s mother be named as suspects and immediately arrested and produced before the court in connection with the incident of abusing a minor girl. The court also ordered that the Thero be banned from traveling abroad.
The Magistrate issued this order after considering the submissions made by the National Child Protection Authority before the court today and the evidence presented.
The minor girl victim was arrested by the police on April 27 while staying with her boyfriend at a lodge in the Nittambuwa police area. She was then produced before the specialist forensic medical officer at the Gampaha General Hospital, where it was confirmed that she had been raped on multiple occasions.
The girl had revealed that she was first raped by the chief priest of an Anuradhapura temple, and then by her boyfriend and cousin. They had also said that her mother had given her to the monk and received money.
The revelation of the information regarding the abuse of this minor girl created a heated debate in society.