• Hemarathana Thera, child’s mother remanded till 22 May  

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has reportedly written to the Attorney General’s (AG) Department requesting intervention in the court proceedings relating to the child sexual abuse and rape allegations levelled against Anuradhapura Atamasthana Chief Prelate Pallegama Hemarathana Thera. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, NCPA Chairperson Preethi Inoka Ranasinghe confirmed that the letter had been sent to the AG’s Department. 

According to sources close to the matter, the NCPA had requested the AG’s Department to pay special attention to the case due to significant public concern and to provide necessary legal guidance and representation regarding the proceedings. 

Meanwhile, the NCPA said in a press release that it had been monitoring the matter since the incident had been reported to ensure the law was properly enforced. 

The authority further stated that it remained committed to overseeing the ongoing investigations to ensure the minor girl’s rights were protected and justice was served. It also stated it was prepared to take appropriate action, when necessary, in the best interests of the child.

The NCPA claimed that no external influence or interference had been exerted on the authority regarding safeguarding the child’s rights or ensuring the law was properly implemented. It added that further steps would continue to be taken to properly monitor the matter. 

The authority also urged the public not to cause unnecessary fear or unrest regarding the incident, noting that there was no reason for undue panic. It warned that any unnecessary public agitation could obstruct the administration of justice. 

In addition, the NCPA stated that the victimised child was currently being kept safely at a special protection centre and that her security had been ensured. 

The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday (15) ordered that suspect Hemarathana Thera, who is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) while in remand custody over allegations of sexually abusing a minor girl, be produced before court on 22 May. 

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne issued the order to the Superintendent of the Colombo Remand Prison. 

Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate also rejected a bail application made on behalf of the victim’s mother, who has been remanded over allegations that she knowingly handed over her minor daughter to the monk for severe sexual abuse in exchange for money. 

Attorney Pradeep Dissanayake appearing for the suspect’s mother requested the court to release her on any bail condition. However, the Magistrate rejected the request and ordered that she remain in remand custody until 22 May.

When the case was taken up on Friday (15), the Nittambuwa Police, presenting a further report, informed the court that investigations into the incident had now been completed.

The Police further stated that excerpts of the investigation had been forwarded to the Attorney General for legal advice and informed the court that the first suspect, Hemarathana Thera, was continuing to receive treatment at the NHSL. 

Prison officials, presenting a medical report submitted through Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent Prasad Premathilaka by the Colombo Magazine Prison Superintendent, informed the court that the suspect monk was currently undergoing several medical examinations while receiving treatment at the NHSL. 

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for Hemarathana Thera, informed the court that no bail application would be made on behalf of his client at the Friday (15) hearing. 

The prosecution was led by Nittambuwa Headquarters Chief Inspector P.M. Anura Gunawardena, together with Gampaha Division Police Children and Women’s Bureau Officer-in-Charge Police Inspector Vinishiya Premarathna and Nittambuwa Police Children and Women’s Bureau Officer-in-Charge Police Inspector Vasundara Gunaratne. They were assisted by Anuradhapura Headquarters Chief Inspector R.M. Jayaweera and Sub-Inspector A.C. Dayananda, who handles cases at the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police Children and Women’s Bureau. 

Hemarathana Thera had previously been remanded until 22 May under an order issued by Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara. The suspect monk, who had been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo until 12 May, was later transferred to the NHSL under another order issued by the Fort Magistrate. 

The Police informed the court that charges against Hemarathana Thera included committing grave sexual abuse against a minor under Section 365(B)(2)(B) of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No.22 of 1995 and rape of a minor under Section 364(2)(E) of the same act. 

Meanwhile, the victim’s mother has been accused under Section 360(C)(1)(A) of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No.16 of 2006 for human trafficking and aiding and abetting the first suspect in committing the alleged offences.