A Monk and Moulavi have been arrested over allegations involving minors

Editorial note: Since publishing this story, Newswire has reported that The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) Irakkamam branch had written to Police on Monday disputing the claim that the individual arrested in Eragama was not a certified Moulavi and had not been educated at any Arabic school.

A monk attached to a temple in Bahirawakanda, Kandy has been arrested on allegations of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, reports said on Monday.

Police revealed that the suspect, a 25-year-old monk, was a relative of the victim, and was taken into custody on May 20 following investigations into the incident.

Police also reported the arrest of a 21-year-old Moulavi residing in Eragama for allegedly abusing a 14‑year‑old girl. He was remanded until June 3rd.

Context

The arrests come in the aftermath of recent controversies involving religious clergy.

In the most high-profile of these incidents, senior monk Pallegama Hemarathana Thero was arrested on May 9 over the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, and later released on bail pending the ruling of the ongoing case.

In another incident, Mulleriyawa Wimalatissa Thero, a 65-year-old monk who was the chief incumbent of a temple in Thambuttegama, was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy.

President's pledge

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government would bring in necessary amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Act to establish a Sangha Council to discipline Buddhist monks.

He added that amendments to Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Act have been drafted, and that following discussions with the Attorney General, representatives of the Mahanayaka Theros of all nikayas (orders), and the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, an agreement has been reached.