Atamasthanadhipathi Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero has been arrested as a suspect in an incident of abusing a 15-year-old girl. The Thero was arrested while he was receiving treatment at the emergency room of a private hospital in Colombo.
The arrest was made pursuant to a warrant issued by the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court for the arrest of the Maha Thero and the victim’s mother. In addition, Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne has also imposed a travel ban on the Thero.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Among those arrested is the victim’s mother.