The case related to the alleged abuse of a minor girl by the former Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thero of Anuradhapura was taken up before the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne today.
Nittambuwa Headquarters Chief Inspector P.M. Anura Gunawardena, who presented his case before the court, stated that the report related to the first DNA test conducted in this incident has already been received and that the second DNA test report is due to be received.
State Counsel Keshani Wijesinghe, who presented his case before the court, said that the Attorney General’s Department is constantly monitoring and supervising the police investigations being carried out. The Attorney General’s Department appeared in this case for the first time today.
President’s Counsel Kalinga Indratissa, who appeared for the suspect, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, stated that he did not intend to make any specific submissions as the incident was still under investigation.
The President’s Counsel also stated that he agreed to the police’s request to provide a date to report on the progress of the investigations. The probation officer supervising the victim stated that the girl was currently being referred for psychological counseling and was being held under the supervision of the probation department “in a very safe and secure manner.”
Taking into account the facts of all parties, the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate ordered the Nittambuwa Headquarters Chief Inspector to seek advice from the Attorney General regarding the incident and ordered the case to be recalled on August 21. The Magistrate ordered the suspect, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero and the victim’s mother to appear in court again on that day.
Anuradhapura Acting Atamasthanadhipathi and Ruwanweli Chaityaramayadhipathi Venerable Ethalewatunuwewe Gnanathilaka, Anuradhapura Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharayadhipathi Nugetenne Pannananda, Abhayagiriya Chaityaramayadhipathi Professor Venerable Kallanchiye Rathanasiri, Lankaramadhipathi Venerable Ralapanawe Dhammajothi and Thuparamayadhipathi Gnaninda, along with a group of monks, were also seen sitting in the open court to witness the case. Similarly, the head of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Mr. Kapu, who was arrested in a raid conducted by wildlife officers and is currently released on bail, also attended the Ganuwas Court to witness the case.