Buddhist monk accused of child sexual abuse is released on bail in Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan court released on bail a senior Buddhist monk who was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor, in a case that has stirred heated debate in a country where Buddhism is the main religion.

Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, was arrested earlier this month on allegations of abusing a 14-year-old girl. A court ordered him to be kept in custody for questioning, but he spent his time in a hospital, citing health issues.

He was arrested along with the girl’s mother, who was accused of aiding the monk in his actions.

A court in the historic city of Anuradhapura on Friday ordered both released on bail, police said.

Hemarathana is a high profile monk in Sri Lanka, the custodian of eight major ancient Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura that are venerated by Buddhists around the world. He has denied any wrongdoing. More than 70 per cent of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people are Buddhists, and monks have a strong influence in the country’s political and social life.