Sri Lanka’s top monk suspended over alleged child sex abuse
Sri Lanka's highest-ranking monk, Pallegama Hemarathana, has been suspended by the Malwatte Chapter of monks following allegations of child sexual abuse. The 71-year-old monk was arrested on May 9 for an alleged incident in 2022 involving an 11-year-old girl at a prominent Buddhist temple. He has since been granted bail, but a travel ban has been imposed as legal proceedings continue. AI
