Inquiry ordered into Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera’s entry through special gate
24-Aug-2026.
Anuradhapura High Court Judge Siyapath Sachithu Wickramaratne has ordered an immediate inquiry and report into the alleged incident in which Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, former Atamasthanadhipathi of Anuradhapura, entered the court premises through a special entrance reserved for judges.
The monk is facing allegations relating to the sexual abuse and rape of a minor.
When the case was taken up on August 23, Attorney-at-Law Chanaka Abeywickrama, appearing for Bimal Ruhunage, who had lodged a complaint with the National Child Protection Authority, raised several matters before court and expressed his objection to the incident.
He questioned how the accused monk had entered the court premises in a luxury vehicle through the special entrance used by judges without undergoing any security checks, while ordinary members of the public are subjected to strict police checks and required to enter through the main entrance of the court.
“Everyone is equal before the law. Who is he to receive such special privileges? Is he a judge?” the lawyer questioned, calling for an immediate inquiry into the police action in connection with the incident.
Taking this into consideration, the presiding judge ordered the officer-in-charge of the Police Security Division to appear immediately before the open court.
Accordingly, the Chief Inspector who appeared before court was ordered to submit a comprehensive report explaining how the accused monk entered the court through the special entrance and the manner in which he was brought to court.
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector P.M. Anura Gunawardena of the Nittambuwa Police Headquarters, appearing for the aggrieved party, informed court that special consultations had been held with the Attorney General’s Department regarding the case and that investigators had participated in those consultations.
The presiding judge decided to adjourn the hearing until January 8, 2027, to obtain the advice of the Attorney General.
The court also ordered that the medical examination report of the minor be produced before court and took steps to issue a summons to the Judicial Medical Officer of the Ragama Teaching Hospital.
Legal proceedings have been instituted against Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera under the Penal Code Amendment Act on charges of sexually abusing and raping the minor. The girl’s mother has also been charged with human trafficking and aiding and abetting the offence.
The accused monk has currently been released on bail subject to conditions including a travel ban. Senior police officers attached to the Anuradhapura Children and Women’s Bureau appeared for the prosecution during the hearing.
More than 20 lawyers, including President’s Counsels Kalinga Indatissa and Anuja Premaratne, appeared in court on behalf of the accused monk.
