A Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday ordered that the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, be further remanded until May 22 over allegations of the serious sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.
The case was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena through a motion filed on May 13.
The Magistrate visited a private hospital in Colombo, where the suspect monk is currently receiving treatment, before issuing the remand order.
The court also directed prison authorities to transfer the suspect to the National Hospital in Colombo based on medical recommendations.
The development comes a day after the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court declined to issue a fresh remand order for the suspect.
On May 12, Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne stated that he could not legally extend the remand custody as the suspect had not been physically produced before court and because the original remand order issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court had not been formally communicated to his court.
Police informed the court that further statements are yet to be recorded from several individuals as investigations continue.
President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for the suspect monk, told court that his client strongly denies the allegations.
Prison officials meanwhile submitted a medical report stating that the suspect was not in a condition to be transported over a long distance and required several specialised medical examinations.
The case is scheduled to be taken up again on May 22. (Newswire)