Chief Sanghanayaka Thera Of Great Britain Sentenced To 7 Years In Prison For Child Abuse
By Uvindu Kurukulasuriya - reporting from London
Pahalagama Somaratana Thero
Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Great Britain and Chief Incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara and Parivenadhipathi of the Vidyaravinda Pirivena, Pahalagama, Gampaha and Chief Lekhadhikari of the Sri Kalyani Samagi Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha has been convicted of four counts of indecent assault on an underage person and sentenced to seven years in prison, a judge ruled Friday June 1, 2012. He has also been banned from working with children for life and his name is added to the sex offenders register.
Monk Pahalagama Somaratana, 65, of Dulverton Road, Croydon was initially convicted at Isleworth Crown Court on May 1, 2012 of four counts of indecent assault on a female under 16 years between January 1, 1977 and December 31,1978 at an address in Chiswick.
He was found not guilty of the rape of a female under 16 years between January 1,1977 and December 31,1978 at an address in Chiswick and not guilty of indecent assault on a female under 14 years between January 1,1985 and December 31, 1986 at an address in Croydon.
In May 2010 Child Abuse Investigation Command officers began an investigation into historical allegations of indecent assault and rape. On Tuesday, September 14, 2010 the 64-year-old monk was arrested on suspicion of what was termed “a historical” charge of indecent assault and rape. He was questioned at Heathrow police station and later bailed pending further enquiries
He was subsequently charged on September 12, 2011 and further charged on November 11, 2011.
On Friday, September 23, Pahalagama Somaratana,Chief Incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara, of Dulverton Road, Croydon appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrate Court charged with rape of a female under 16 years between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick and indecent assault on a female under 16 years between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick. Pahalagama Somaratana, was charged with another eight counts of sexual abuse on Friday, November 11, the London Metropolitan Police said.
According to the Metropolitan Police these eight indecent assaults on a female under 14 years took place between January 1,1985 and December 31,1986 at an address in Croydon. The 65-year-old Pahalagama Somaratana Thero appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrate Court on Friday, December 2, and was bailed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on December 20, 2011.
Before people begin to gloat, I wish to add that the clergy of all religions, comprise of a cross section of the average community and subject to average misdemeanours, though very rare in the Buddhist clergy. A Buddhist monk became my mentor over 60 years and I still hold the greatest respect for Buddhism.
THANK FOR YOUR COMMENT.IF A BUDDHIST MONK WAS YOUR MENTOR I WONDER WHAT YOUR RELIGION IS? I POSE THIS QUESTION SINCE YOU
ARE A SHAIKH!!!!!!!!!!!
AS FAR AS I KNOW MUSLIMS DO NOT HAVE CLERICS!!!!!!!!!!.
Even if these allegations are correct, these are incidents taken place some 30 to 35 years ago.Hence how can they be proven ?. Further why did the concerned victims stay silent until they were well into their Forties or possibly fifties to make these accusations.In one instance a certain victim has brought her entire experience which had taken place in 1977 to light only after her family had developed a dispute with the monk only in 2010.Was the monk a decent person to her all these years until the family fell apart with him only two years ago, after all the alleged mischief he was upto ???. This whole episode seems very intriguing !!
You must be joking Sri Lanka Buddhist ,monks are real thugs. (90% of them), they do everything under the buddism banner. They were fore front in 83 riots and the recent destruction of the mosque in dambulla speaks for itself oh and some of these thugs are now in parliament, you ppl made the great religion of buddsim a laughing stock..
DO NOT KNOW HOW FAR THE RARERITY OF BUDDHIST MONKS IN SUCH INVOLVEMENTS COULD BE ESTABLISHED, BUT ITS TRUE THAT CULPRITS ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY PARTICULAR RELIGION.
its an undiniable fact that high incidence of sexual abuse is usually known in established priest hoods without access to marriage. therefore its time to re think of validity of priest hoods without permission to marry.
admire your courage to defend what is normal aginst abnormal…..as a practicing buddhist id like to add, even a monk is subjected to “sanathana damma” & this is indeed “Ditta Damma Vedaneeya Karma” (the one’s bad deed impacting during his/her present life).
If he ideed has been proven a “pedophile” he should rott in jail..no excuses!!
So what are you up to? The talk is about this Buddhist Monk, a follower of Buddha who abused children for many many years. Just because there are offenders elsewhere, are you justifying this act of this buddhis monk? What do you mean by “very rare in the buddhist clergy” Are you in Sri Lanka? By the way, it is certain that YOU ARE NOT A MUSLIM THOUGH BEARS A MUSLIM NAME TO HIDE. Because a Muslim speaks about Buddhism do not dream that people would buy it. A spade is a spade.
Please dont pontificate to justify this despicable act by this pedophile.
I had the (mis)fortune of monks in bikkhu ward of CGH many moons ago.
It was not unusual to wait for the smoking of what ever ceased behind the saffron screen and also “any” other activities ended.
your name should be spelt as ahamad r8 bro ? and according to my muslim friends the muslim religion does not have clergy…they say all muslims should be like clergy men
Is pakse thug ,as part of his entourage to UK ,planning to take a few young teen age “monks” to replace this soon to be imprisoned pedophile.
What an insult to Lord Buddha and a sacrilage pakse style.
Well said. Agree one hundred percent.
This is a conspiracy against Buddhism
yeah, So, Buddha did the same of what did this monk did……..agree
yes, going after underage girls, it is very much common in Sri Lanka
no one conspires against Lord Budha except budhist hiarachi and politecians
So Any Buddhist monk is above the law and enjoys impunity like the war criminals and violators of human rights.
Shantha Siriwaradane! Will you say the same if similar verdict is given to a christian father or a Muslim or Hindu priest?
Oh no, do not think that all these clergy who are inside these robes are angels and never commit crimes like this. I wish you can remember the incidents which came to light that Catholic Bishops molested young boys and now a Buddhist monk did moltest a young girl. These crimes does not come out that hot, it take time. It is good that he got seven years for disgrasing the religion that he represent. He should have removed the robes if he cannot follow the rules comes along with that ROBE.
So conspiracy? what abou the Buddhist monk who drove a 4 wheel drive under the influence of Liquour and injured pedestarians? The true buddhims is not practiced and that is the reason today SL is like that. When Dambullah mosque was ransacked did any Mahayanyakes utter a word about it? Where is the “principle of Avihinsa” preached by Lord Buddha?
Bull***t.
It is not a conspiracy against Buddhism but a much needed action against clergy (of all religions) who misuse their position of trust. Roman Catholic clergy have also been found guilty.
The root of this evil? – the stupidity of a celibate life. The Lord Buddha gave up his carnal life and took up celibacy in the latter part off his life. Christ seems to have kept a celibate life. But these are exceptional people.
Talk to young Buddhist priest and young Catholic priest in training – then you will get the real picture of sexual abuse by priests of most religions.
Yes. Conspiracy by the diaspora tamils in UK against Buddhism.
I doubt the police here has any sympathy for diaspora or any one acting illegally.It’s in SL known terrorists are kept in the government and the cops (in SL)equally corrupt and bend.
Friends this is not conspiracy, just think these monks they have enough to do in Buddhism in Srilanka. Why can`t them go to Jaffna and preach “Haterat cannot overcome by Hate but by Love and teach the teachings of Loard Buddha to innocent tamil youth and make them good citizens. They do not like . They want to eithe go to America, England, Paris, Australia, Canada. What they can do over their. Those countries they have internet . They can learn Buddhism and they do that.They do not need this monks to trach Buddhism. Buddhism is a philosophy. Those monks come over those countries to have “PASCUMSEPA” over here coverd with Buddhist Cloke. If this incident happens in Srilanka this “Wal Hamuduruwo” will be released, with honarably. Likely this country “Law and Order” is not similer to Srilanka today.
you are right? hehehehe…. SADU SADU SADU…..He he he :)
Don’t talk rubbish.You get bad clergy or priests in every religion and this guy is one of them.I can vouch for the integrity of the British police as they have no interest in conspiring against a Buddhist or Christian priests unless there is compelling evidence.Young must be protected from vultures like this.
Don’t be stupid. It is the Buddhist people themselves who by self centred actions who conspire to destroy Buddhism
You are a real BS!
No it is about an individual rogue monk. Nothing to do with the buddhism
You Sinhala Buddhists can demolish our Mosque in Dambulla and now see how this Nayaka Thero was found guilty of sexual assault. If Buddha is alive he will shed tears of blood when he see his golaya’s dirty game. Sadu! Sadu Sadu,
If it is in Srilanka. He would have been relased and started talking politics
On Friday, September 23, Pahalagama Somaratana,Chief Incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara, of Dulverton Road, Croydon appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrate Court charged with rape of a female under 16 years between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick and indecent assault on a female under 16 years between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick. Pahalagama Somaratana, was charged with another eight counts of sexual abuse on Friday, November 11, the London Metropolitan Police said.
CONSPIRACY AGAINST BUDDHISM BY WHOM ?
WHAT ABOUT THE CASE OF THE MIHINTALE HIGH PRIEST?
JUST SWITCH OVER TO MAHAYANA AND ALLOW PRIESTS TO MARRY.
death to all phedos
despicable
shame on all buddhists
Sri Lanka on the fast track to become a 4 letter word.
(Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Great Britain and Chief Incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara and Parivenadhipathi of the Vidyaravinda Pirivena, Pahalagama, Gampaha and Chief Lekhadhikari of the Sri Kalyani Samagi Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha) – GOSH that is a very very very big designation and a whole load of portfolois for this rapist, Wondering if such big port folios are been manufactured just as mirror to cover up is actual dirty self!.
No matter how long the jail sentence is such men will never change. These are people who shame the rest of those really god-fearing clergy.
This dirty old man is not fit to be called a monk and not fit to be in robes he is a disgrace. the best punishment for such Rapists is to getthe victims themselves to stone this old dirty mongrel.
Bad apples are everywhere but the majority are good apples that’s the norm. We need to look at this case and similar cases the same way
It is not a conspiracy nor a one off. Budhist monks in most temples have notorious reputations. In budhism, monkhood was revered as a personal sacrifice in the highest esteem. That was the glorious past and that class and calibre of monks are fast diminishing.
The world must understand why there can never be reconciliation between the majority budhist and the rest of the minority in Sri Lanka as the Budhists are sadly lead by a CORRUPT REGIME and an even more CORRUPT CLERGY. Very unfortunately the educated budhists too have joined the band wagon in MINORITY BASHING.
Sri Lanka needs another LORD BUDDHA to put things right.
This Has nothing to do with Buddhism or its teachings.This is a human being who commited crimes under the pretext of being a person of position and trust.I’m a non buddhist, but respect Budhism like all religeons.Shantha Siriwardene stop being a nitwit and blame it on conspirators.Go and tell your cpnspiration theories to the poor young girls that were abused.
I don’t let any of my friends visit third world SL because they could get murdered or raped.
This monk is in the same class as the Dambulla chief monk, both seem to have something in common
This mean priesti should be sent to Sri Lanka Dhammaboomi to educate the criminal priests in Dambulla and Dehiwala in Budda Jayanthi 2600
If conviction would not have happend in Sri Lanka where such incidents are swept under the carpet usually with political patronage. Unfortunately such incidents probably are rampent in the society and this is an eye opener!
Ven. Pahalagama Somaratana (in my view) is totally Innocent and the jury appear to have been misled !
My wife and I knew Ven. Somaratana and all the other Buddhist monks at London Buddhist Vihara, Chiswisk very closely from 1977 when I was living in Chiswick so close to the temple. I am so confident Ven.Somaratana would never have done anything with this regard to this accusation. In my view it’s totally fabricated and malicious. At that time we went to the temple often and at times my wife waited at the temple for me to come from work. Giving a polo or sweets is nothing, what all priests did was anything remaining / excess from what they received from dayakas, they gave it to all of us (anyone who wanted). We were in London from 1977 to 1982 and now we live in Australia but I wish I was in London now to truly to come forward and defend Ven Somaratane, the Buddhists and Sri Lanka. The damage this false accusation (in my view and my wife’s view and I am sure shared by many others) has caused to Ven Somaratena, the Buddhists of the world and Sri Lanka as a whole is enormous. What I cannot understand is (1) Why was this allegation ever brought towards Ven. Somaratana (2) How come a lady (at that time 9 years old girl) bring this allegation after 35 years and (3) How come a jury found evidence beyond reasonable doubt of Ven.Somaratnas guit in Indecent Assault? (4) How can anyone ever imagine that a rape or indecent assault could have ever taken place at London Buddhist Vihara, Chiswick (at that time a very small building).
If Ven.Somaratana would ever have even attempted to do anything like this he would have definitely be banished from the temple at that time. He was only a podi hamuduruwo at that time. Ven. Saddhatissa, Ven. Piyatisasa, Ven. Khemananda, etc., had so much power and influence. Further more if I ever got even a hint of this at that time I would never have even attempted to defend Ven. Somaratana. Why I am defending him is because I am so sure that he never even hinted of any such behaviour at that time (We were physically there and went to the temple at least twice a week. What he wanted at that stage was to get to know many people, develop positive realationships and learn English. All of which he has done so well for over 35 years. Yes ! he use to smile with us and joke and he treated us extremely well. He was an outgoing monk who had a lot of potential. Also originally being from Gampaha I know for sure that he did tremendously well for his Pahalagama temple. Our parents have been dayakas of Pahalagama temple for so many years. Now I am in Australia and I am sorry that I am not in London to be of assistance to Ven Somaratana at this time of need.
Further more if anyone knows the then London Buddhist Vighara which had only 3 small rooms upstairs and one toilet kitchen and a shrine room cum hall down stairs no one could ever imagine that anyone could ever attempt to abuse a child or rape. It’s totally indecent for the lady (then a child) to have fabricated / or thought of how she (at age 9) have been at this small building all alone on Sunday. Obviously (if she ever went to the temple) she would have come to the temple with her father or mother or an adult Uncle or Aunty. Then where were these people when the said incidents happened? In London no child ever goes to Sunday school on her own. Also if it happened after Sunday school where were the other 20 or so children and their parents! Also Sundays were very busy days at the temple and in that temple on Sundays there was no privacy at all for anyone. What nonsense is to say that even an attempt of rape or child abuse could have ever happened in the Shrine room above all places. If the lady (then the girl) ever believe in Buddhism or sin I am sure this will haunt her one day and in sansara unless she rectifies the situation even after doing all this damage.
I am curious to get to know her real reason for making this allegation. Could this be for monitory gain or could this be for revenge or could she have been held for ransom or blackmailed? If none of these fits the bill, obviously she must be mentally in balanced. I am sure we will all get to know the truth sooner or later. However, I only hope the truth will come out sooner than later.
It’s so wrong of all this malicious allegations to have come towards Ven. Pahalagama Somaratane and now even a mention of who this lady is? She may be a doctor as said in the internet but in my view she is more likely a patient (mental). The harm she had brought to Ven.Somaratana, all Buddhists and Sri Lanka is unimaginable. I would also kindly request all who write responses to be more thoughtful and avoid writing specially about things they hardly know about. If anyone can write “I was there in 1977 or 1978 and try to substantiate his / her point of view” I would like to hear your views with an open mind.
About the conviction (which is definitely not rape) but only child abuse (I cannot believe that it ever happened !). How come the jury think that the lady was not truthful about rape but she was truthful about making her sit on the hamuduruwos lap, etc. When one can say one lie telling so many other lies is simple. That’s why as a positive thinker I believe one should not lie even once. Where is the evidence that it ever happened? Has anyone given evidence that they ever saw the hamuduruwo being ever involved in this type of an offence? How can a jury find this hamuiduruwo guilty purely on the word of one lady (then a child aged 9). In my view the jury could have easily been swayed by the lady’s breaking down (which is said to have happened in court). But the jury in my view should have found Ven.Somaratana innocent ! From what I know of law an accused is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond reasonable doubt:
“ The presumption of innocence, sometimes referred to by the Latin expression Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat, is the principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty. Application of this principle is a legal right of the accused in a criminal trial, recognised in many nations. The burden of proof is thus on the prosecution, which has to collect and present enough compelling evidence to convince the trier of fact, who is restrained and ordered by law to consider only actual evidence and testimony that is legally admissible, and in most cases lawfully obtained, that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If reasonable doubt remains, the accused is to be acquitted”. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_innocence)
In this case where is the evidence ? Has anyone given any evidence apart from the lady (then a child aged 9?). What is the credibility of this lady? Where is legally admissible evidence which can find the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt?
I respect anybody’s views provided they are backed up with substantial evidence !
I sincerely hope and wish for the sake of Ven. Pahalabama Somaratna, Buddhism as a whole and Sri Lanka as nation the real truth will come out soon.
good point for sunday leader who is always against Buddhism.
Check and see the length of the list of the countries in the world where Christian/Catholic Priests have molested children. The list covers every continent in the world except Antarctica where young humans are not living.
If the British Court system was JUST enough to prosecute and give SEVEN years for each child, how many British – priests alone in the UK would be in Jail.
But,are there any British Christian/Catholic Priests in Jail ?
So this is the biggest news this paper has to report today. A monk going through a court case in a foreign land that an average Sri Lankan is not even bothered about. Sri Lanka has no other pressing problems ! Wow. One wonders whether this paper is a Christian church backed newspaper.
This is the saddest part! We entrust these so called “monks” and send them to other countries to spread and serve the great Buddha Sasana. This hooligans go there and take total advantage of the system forgetting why they have a robe on. Some thing must be done soon.
Its not a problem of Buddhism that people become pedophile. But this move by British after so many years is a clear conspiracy aimed at discrediting Buddhism.
you cannot condemn the religion for the mistakes of a buddhist priest. In all religions there are miscreants. We have to accept that priests are also humans who do wrong things once in a way.
Buddhism is a great relion and well respected all over the world.
Whereas the Sinhala Buddhism is full of Apartheid mindset, racism, sex scandals, hate crimes and much more. It is very evident from the political leaders since independence that they have no respect for minorities, other religions, their rights and dignity.
We have seen Christian Churches are brought down, Mosque’s were demolished and much more by the Sinhala Buddhist Monks and it is a menace to the civilized world.
The victim of this Sinhala Buddhist monk was a Sinhala Buddhist. So, there was no conspiracy here by the British. It was the monk who had discredited Buddhism by abusing a child who came to the temple to learn Buddhism.
IN MY VIEW VEN.SOMARATANA IS TOTALLY INNOCENT AND THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY WRONG IN WHAT HAS HAPPENED !
My wife and I knew Ven. Somaratana and all the other Buddhist monks at London Buddhist Vihara, Chiswisk very closely from 1977 when I was living in Chiswick so close to the temple. I am so confident Ven.Somaratana would never have done anything with this regard to this accusation. In my view it’s totally fabricated and malicious. At that time we went to the temple often and at times my wife waited at the temple for me to come from work. Giving a polo or sweets is nothing, what all priests did was anything remaining / excess from what they received from dayakas, they gave it to all of us (anyone who wanted). We were in London from 1977 to 1982 and now we live in Australia but I wish I was in London now to truly to come forward and defend Ven Somaratane, the Buddhists and Sri Lanka. The damage this false accusation (in my view and my wife’s view and I am sure shared by many others) has caused to Ven Somaratena, the Buddhists of the world and Sri Lanka as a whole is enormous. What I cannot understand is (1) Why was this allegation ever brought towards Ven. Somaratana (2) How come a lady (at that time 9 years old girl) bring this allegation after 35 years and (3) How come a jury found evidence beyond reasonable doubt of Ven.Somaratna’s guilt in Indecent Assault? (4) How can anyone ever imagine that a rape or indecent assault could have ever taken place at London Buddhist Vihara, Chiswick (at that time a very small building).
If Ven.Somaratana would ever have even attempted to do anything like this he would have definitely be banished from the temple at that time. He was only a podi hamuduruwo at that time. Ven. Saddhatissa, Ven. Piyatisasa, Ven. Khemananda, etc., had so much power and influence. Further more, if I ever got even a hint of this at that time I would never have even attempted to defend Ven. Somaratana. Why I am defending him is because I am so sure that he never even hinted of any such behaviour at that time (We were physically there and went to the temple at least twice a week). What he wanted at that stage was to get to know many people, develop positive realationships and learn English. All of which he has done so well for over 35 years. Yes ! he use to smile with us and joke and he treated us extremely well. He was an outgoing monk who had a lot of potential. Also originally being from Gampaha I know for sure that he did tremendously well for his Pahalagama temple. Our parents have been dayakas of Pahalagama temple for so many years. Now I am in Australia and I am sorry that I am not in London to be of assistance to Ven Somaratana at this time of need.
Further more, if anyone knows the then London Buddhist Vighara which had only 3 small rooms upstairs and one toilet kitchen and a shrine room cum hall down stairs no one could ever imagine that anyone could ever attempt to abuse a child or rape. It’s totally indecent for the lady (then a child) to have fabricated / or thought of how she (at age 9) has been at this small building all alone on Sunday. Obviously (if she ever went to the temple) she would have come to the temple with her father or mother or an adult Uncle or Aunty. Then where were these people when the said incidents happened? In London no child ever goes to Sunday school on her own. Also if it happened after Sunday school where were the other 20 or so children and their parents! Also Sundays were very busy days at the temple and in that temple on Sundays there was no privacy at all for anyone. What nonsense is to say that even an attempt of rape or child abuse could have ever happened in the Shrine room above all places. If the lady (then the girl) ever believe in Buddhism or sin I am sure this will haunt her one day and in sansara unless she rectifies the situation even after doing all this damage.
I am curious to get to know her real reason for making this allegation. Could this be for monitory gain or could this be for revenge or could she have been held for ransom or blackmailed? If none of these fits the bill, obviously she must be mentally in balanced. I am sure we will all get to know the truth sooner or later. However, I only hope the truth will come out sooner than later.
It’s so wrong of all this malicious allegations to have come towards Ven. Pahalagama Somaratane and not even a mention of who this lady is? She may be a doctor as said in the internet but in my view she is more likely a patient (mental). The harm she had brought to Ven.Somaratana, all Buddhists and Sri Lanka is unimaginable. I would also kindly request all who write responses to be more thoughtful and avoid writing specially about things they hardly know about. If anyone can write “I was there in 1977 or 1978 and try to substantiate his / her point of view” I would like to hear your views with an open mind.
About the conviction (which is definitely not rape) but only child abuse (I cannot believe that it ever happened !). How come the jury think that the lady was not truthful about rape but she was truthful about making her sit on the hamuduruwos lap, etc. When one can say one lie telling so many other lies is simple. That’s why as a positive thinker I believe one should not lie even once. Where is the evidence that it ever happened? Has anyone given evidence that they ever saw the hamuduruwo being ever involved in this type of an offence? How can a jury find this hamuduruwo guilty purely on the word of one lady (then a child aged 9). In my view the jury could have easily been swayed by the lady’s breaking down (which is said to have happened in court). But the jury in my view should have found Ven.Somaratana innocent ! From what I know of law an accused is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond reasonable doubt:
“ The presumption of innocence, sometimes referred to by the Latin expression Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat, is the principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty. Application of this principle is a legal right of the accused in a criminal trial, recognised in many nations. The burden of proof is thus on the prosecution, which has to collect and present enough compelling evidence to convince the trier of fact, who is restrained and ordered by law to consider only actual evidence and testimony that is legally admissible, and in most cases lawfully obtained, that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If reasonable doubt remains, the accused is to be acquitted”. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_innocence)
In this case where is the evidence ? Has anyone given any evidence apart from the lady (then a child aged 9?). What is the credibility of this lady? Where is legally admissible evidence which can find the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt?
I respect anybody’s views provided they are backed up with substantial evidence !
I sincerely hope and wish for the sake of Ven. Pahalagama Somaratna, Buddhism as a whole and Sri Lanka as nation the real truth will come out soon.
Even if you write a book, the monk has been found guilty by proof. It does not matter when the wrong was done or when the witness reveal it. It is all whether the guilty committed the wrong.
Demand for an Independent International investigation on Buddhist Monks’ evil activites, sex scandals, hate crimes and violence.
Dear Kushan,
Please remember he has been tried under the British legal system, which you rightly or wrongly bring into disrepute. If you have any evidence that this was a setup and not of the allegations which he has been tried and sentenced for, then please, please let the authorities know. However if it because you just cannot believe he would do this, then that is no basis for presumption of his innocence.
If you were in court to hear the evidence and you feel that the allegations were false or malicious then once again please let the Venerables legal team know as it may form the basis of any appeal. I dearly hope he has not been set up and the integrity of the Savaka-Sangha and the British legal system can be maintained. I will try to cultivate metta for him and for those who may or may not have been harmed by his actions.
But whatever the reason and result it is better for everyone to maintain peace and harmony and not to indulge in hatred or unsubstantiated allegations regardless of any view or opinion you may have be they false or true.
Give a break, don’t waste too much time for criminals. It is not the religion, Buddhism is one of the finest religion. Criminals use the religion as a cover for their advantage and it happens in every religion. These criminals have to get the harsh punishment as public give them a special place in their life.
Assumption of conspiracies, fabrications, etc. are unfounded as British law enforcement agencies do not operate without any prima-facie evidence. The commentator is the only person who has come forward to defend the Priest. There are several others who knew the Priest and no one has said anything in defence. But one matter is becoming clear, More and more Buddhist Priests are now being found involved not only in rapes and child abuses but also in other un-social offences. There it seems that there is no central authority within the Buddhist system to ensure the discipline of the Priests. There is such an arrangement and a code of conduct in the Catholic Church. There must be a similar arrangement for the Buddhist Priests as well.
Nonsense!
You cannot trust someone like this. mans Sexual behaviour is gone hidden you cannot judge by the way he behaved with you and your wife. Too much faith kills the intellgence. I dont agree with you. People whoc appear to be nice to the society do nasty things behaind the screen. You said I am so sure….How can you be sure..it happened when he was younger and you never knew his secret desire. Would he tell it to you?
I wish Mr. Dharmawardena will stop talking utter rubbish with no comprehension of the British Legal system.
Dear Kushan
You sound like a child abuser yourself, dont defend anyone and praise any Philosophy, you are a man with desires and who has earned wealth and who probably eats alot of meat. So you cannot talk and support Monks, only a man who has truely renounced this world is fit to blame a monk……
Do not make a hue and cry of this incident.
He was punished but excessively……………………
Catholic Chuch in the USA is almost bankrupt with buyouts to save scores of paedeophile priests.
Even the Pope in the past has covered up many incidents
As for SL clergy, there is the Mathew Pieris & Pauline Cruze cases.
Have sympathy on this Thero, it was a lapse of self restraint.
You have them in all religions.
There are priests in all religions who commit such vile acts. It is the ‘singer not the song’.! It is illogical to say it is a conspiracy against Buddhism, and also to blame the Tamils.
Naturally as Buddhist many will try to defend the Monk-as Sri Lankans others will lament that it will impact on our image.As a Roman Catholic I must say that these things happen in the world today-If it is a Catholic Priest one cannot blame the Church for it-And if it is a Buddhist monk one cannot blame Buddhism nor its Organisation-When a crime is committed the individual is responsible for the action-If he or she has not realised the repercussions such action have,society and the law will punish him or her for it-atleast that will teach them a lesson-
All in all when one has such inclination education must help them to realise to give up the mission and take up lay life,. much in the interest of the noble way of life one has chosen to follow! Many have this attitude that when one wears a robe or a casock one can getaway with anything!
First and foremost if he has done anything wrong especially in the field of sex, he cannot be a Buddhist monk. He is only a man with a yellow robe. To become a Buddhist monk, he should get rid of all the desires and that list -sex is number one. All his other titles are useless (sanga nayake, chief incumbent, punditha etc etc) if he has got following bedsides his name: sowan, sakrudhagami, anagami or arahath he wouldn’t have got into this mess! These newspapermen write all his lay titles of the person concern to show that he is pious monk and make the gravity of the case with this type of adjectives without knowing the real value of this. Once I was travelling to SL and the man who was seated next to me, yellow robe clad person. After a chat, he gave his name card to me with punditha and also BA(hons) etc. I returned the card to the guy and told him that most of his titles I also possess and whether he got anything besides that, such as Sowan, sakrudhagami, anagami or arahath and advice him to keep the card!
This is obviously a mistrial and should be appealed by the lawyers. Obviously her memory is faulty.
Has anyone bothrered to find out what body gave hiom the authority to call himself Chief Sanghanayaka Thera Of Great Britain. Please all Buddhists ask this question. A committment to honesty must be a fundamemtal requirement of being a buddhist.
What a shame !