Nearly 300 Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka have been accused of abusing children over the past three years, with charges filed against 27 of them, according to a report published by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
Citing information released by Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) in response to a freedom of information request, OCCRP reported that complaints had been made against 285 different Buddhist monks between 1 May 2023 and 1 May 2026.
The NCPA told OCCRP that referrals made by the authority had resulted in criminal charges being filed against 27 monks. However, the agency said it did not maintain data on how many of those charged had subsequently been convicted.
According to OCCRP, NCPA Chairperson, retired justice Preethi Inoka Ranasinghe, said that more than 70 per cent of the complaints concerned sexual offences. She further stated that cases were increasing in Sri Lanka and that many incidents, including those involving religious figures, continued to go unreported.
The disclosure comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations against Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, one of Sri Lanka’s most senior Buddhist clergymen.
Hemarathana, 71, who oversees eight of the country’s most sacred Buddhist sites, was arrested on 9 May over allegations that he sexually abused a 15-year-old girl over a number of years, OCCRP reported
The monk has not been charged and was released on bail last week. His lawyer, Mahesh Kotuwella, told OCCRP that Hemarathana was currently under investigation for statutory rape.
“My client firmly denies all allegations made against him,” Kotuwella was quoted as saying.
OCCRP reported that the case has led to controversy in Sri Lanka, where Buddhist monks occupy a highly respected position in society and criticism of senior clergy is often viewed as an attack on the country’s Sinhalese Buddhist majority.
According to the report, several Sri Lankan media outlets did not report on Hemarathana’s arrest despite the case receiving international attention.
“Hemarathana’s arrest has led to controversy in Sri Lanka, where monks are deeply admired and respected, and criticism of clergy is often viewed as an attack on the identity of the country’s dominant Sinhalese Buddhist majority.
Sensitivities are so strong that many Sri Lankan media outlets have not reported on Hemarathana’s arrest, despite his case attracting international coverage.”
The NCPA has also criticised the response of law enforcement authorities. OCCRP cited NCPA legal officer Sajeewani Abeykoon as telling a court that the authority “had to take a stick and chase the police” in order to secure Hemarathana’s arrest.
Professor Harendra de Silva, the founding chairperson of the NCPA, told OCCRP that the elevated status enjoyed by Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka's “Conservative” society makes it difficult for authorities to act against those accused of crimes against children.
“You need to remember that a clergy, especially a leading figure, means a powerful person with a lot of money,” he said.
OCCRP further reported that, according to Hemarathana’s lawyer, Sri Lanka’s Attorney General will decide whether indictments will be filed before the High Court in relation to the allegation of statutory rape.