A 25‑year‑old monk, serving at a temple in Bahirawakanda, has been arrested by the Kandy Police in connection with the sexual abuse of a 15‑year‑old girl, the Police said. 

According to the Police, the suspect, who is the brother of the girl’s father, was taken into custody on May 20 following investigations into the incident.

Police further arrested a 29‑year‑old woman from Bahirawakanda the same day for aiding and abetting the crime.

Both suspects were produced before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court on May 21. 

The monk has been remanded until June 1, while the female suspect was released on two sureties of Rs. 200,000 each.

The Kandy Police is conducting further investigations into the case. (Newswire)

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Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said her ministry and relevant agencies had taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of the girl who was allegedly sexually abused in Anuradhapura. 

She rejected claims that the child lacked legal representation, stating that the girl, her sibling and another child relative in the household remain under the ministry’s custody.

The minister said that the government’s decision not to disclose unnecessary details of the case to the media does not mean no action is being taken.

Addressing the media, Minister Paulraj said that a complaint on the incident has been filed by Sri Lanka Police, which is a state entity, while the Attorney General’s advice has been sought on the proceedings of the case. 

“There are attempts by certain parties to take political advantage of the incident. We do not intend to respond to such acts. We have taken all necessary measures regarding the incident,” she said. 

The minister revealed that the recording of all evidence, statements from the victim, site examination, findings of clothing reported to have been buried, and forensic examination and report have all been completed.

She added that the investigation can proceed based on video evidence and other material, such as the forensic report, medical report, and initial statements. 

The Minister of Women and Child Affairs added that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the protection and well-being of the victim. (Newswire)

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In a first for South Korea, a humanoid robot named Gabi has been introduced as a Buddhist monk, offering a glimpse into how technology and tradition are beginning to intersect. 

According to Reuters, Gabi made its debut at Jogye Temple in Seoul ahead of Buddha’s Birthday celebrations. 

Who is Gabi?

Gabi is a 130-centimetre-tall humanoid robot designed to take part in Buddhist rituals. Dressed in a grey-and-brown robe and black shoes, the robot mirrors the appearance of a traditional monk.

As reported by The Korea Times, it stood alongside monks and nuns during a precept ceremony — a ritual typically meant for human followers entering the religious path. 

Taking Buddhist vows

During the ceremony, Gabi folded its hands, bowed to senior monks, and responded to questions about devotion to Buddha and his teachings.

When asked if it would commit itself to Buddhism, the robot replied, “Yes, I will devote myself.”

Monks also placed a 108-bead rosary around its neck. In place of a traditional ritual involving a symbolic burn, a sticker was used. 

Rules for a robot monk

Gabi was assigned five modified precepts suited for a machine. These include respecting life, not harming other robots or objects, following human guidance, avoiding deception, and saving energy.

What does the name mean?

The Jogye Order gave the robot the name “Gabi.” Ven. Seong Won said the name draws from Siddhartha and a Korean word linked to mercy, reflecting the aim of spreading compassion.

He told Yonhap News Agency that the name was chosen to be simple and meaningful. 

A step towards coexistence

Seong Won said the initiative is an early attempt to explore coexistence between humans and robots. While it may seem unusual for now, he said such efforts could help shape how society adapts to artificial intelligence.

The Buddhist order also referred to tools like Gemini and ChatGPT while drafting the robot’s guiding principles.

What’s next for Gabi?

Gabi is set to take part in the Yeondeunghoe lantern festival later this month, alongside three other Buddhist robots — Seokja, Mohee and Nisa. (CNBC)

South Korea's first humanoid robot monk made its official debut at Jogye Temple in Seoul, ahead of Buddha's birthday.

The robot monk, called Gabi, stood before Buddhist monks as it pledged to devote itself to Buddhism. pic.twitter.com/O47u0rwPfF

— ABC News (@ABC) May 7, 2026

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A resident monk at the Bambaragasthalawa Aranya Senasana in the Kumana National Park has died after being attacked by a leopard.

According to the Police, the deceased monk was a national of the Czech Republic.

He was 43 years old at the time of his demise. (Newswire)

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Two Chinese nationals were arrested yesterday (25) by the Katunayake Airport Police for stealing foreign currency worth Rs. 483,855 from a Buddhist monk on an aircraft in transit, it was reported.

According to reports, the victim, Ven. Digalle Mahinda Thero, a teacher by profession residing at a temple in Peradeniya, had arrived at Katunayake Airport on Etihad Airways flight EY-392 from Abu Dhabi at 10:05 a.m. on 25 November.

While the aircraft was airborne over Katunayake, the monk had gone to the restroom. At that moment, two Chinese nationals approached his seat and accessed his travel bag kept in the overhead rack. When the monk returned, the suspects fled, and he did not immediately check further.

Upon landing at Katunayake, during customs clearance, the monk discovered that his foreign currency was missing. The stolen amount included 250 Euros, 100 Sterling Pounds, 250 US Dollars, and 3,850 Malaysian Ringgit.

The monk lodged a complaint with the Airport Police, who reviewed CCTV footage. The suspects were seen leaving the airport in a three-wheeler. With the assistance of the airport’s three-wheeler associations, police identified the vehicle and arrested the two suspects along with the stolen money.

Investigations revealed that the suspects had planned to use the stolen cash for casino gambling in Colombo today (26). The arrested individuals are aged 31 and 58.

Further investigations are being conducted by the Katunayake Airport Police, and the suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (26). (Newswire)

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has instructed that Sri Lankan monk, Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera, be subjected to a psychological assessment.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was instructed to subject the monk to an examination at the Colombo National Hospital and submit a report in this regard. 

The court yesterday also ordered to examine if a video published on the monk’s YouTube channel contains any expletive language, and for the CID to file a report in this regard.

Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera is currently on conditional bail, which prohibits him from using expletive language.

He was released on bail in July last year after having been arrested and remanded over the incident of making comments harmful to religious co-existence and disrespectful to Buddhism. 

In April this year, the Karaka Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya decided to expel Ven. Rajangane Saddharathana Thera from the Buddhist monastic order.

At the time, it was reported that the decision was taken following a series of controversial statements made by the Thera on social media, which gained significant attention and sparked public debate. (Newswire)

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A group led by Sri Lankan monk Ven. Banagala Upatissa has paid tribute to Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, who passed away yesterday at the age of 88. 

They paid a floral tribute to Pope Francis at their temple in Makola yesterday, hours after news of the pontiff’s demise. 

Issuing a statement yesterday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had died a day after making an appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. (Newswire)

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A 24-year-old woman wanted in connection to the murder of a Buddhist monk in Seeduwa in September 2022 has been arrested upon her return to Sri Lanka. 

The woman is reported to have conspired with another monk to murder the victim at a Buddhist temple in Seeduwa and rob properties belonging to the temple. 

Investigations reveal the woman had been involved with a monk who was working at the temple and that she had conspired with the monk to murder the victim, the latter being strangled to death.

Presenting facts to the court, the Police had obtained an overseas travel ban against the woman. 

Upon her arrival in Sri Lanka from Dubai early last morning, the woman was handed over to the airport Police by Immigration officials, after which she was arrested.

The woman is a 24-year-old resident of Minuwangoda. She is due to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court sentenced a Buddhist monk to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing an underaged monk, it was reported. 

According to the Daily News, the court further imposed a fine of Rs. 4500 and ordered the accused to pay a compensation of Rs. 100,000 to the victim.

The judgement was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Mahesh Weeraman yesterday. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan monk identifying himself as ‘Sri Vishva Buddha’ has been apprehended for making various statements related to Buddhism on social media.

According to reports, the monk’s social media posts contain content deemed disrespectful to Buddhism.

Based on a complaint filed with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the monk was arrested in Kalagedihena in the Gampaha District last evening. 

The arrested individual has been identified as a 34-year-old resident of Ratnapura.

He will be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today. (NewsWire)

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A Police Constable who was stabbed by a teenage Buddhist monk in Deniyaya last week (Nov 16) has succumbed to injuries, it was reported. 

The Police officer, who was stabbed in the Pallegama area in Deniyaya, died while receiving treatment at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital yesterday.

The Police officer, who was attached to the Deniyaya Police Station, had been attacked near the Sambodhi Elders’ Home on the Gangoda Road, in Pallegama.

The victim, who is a resident of the Katuwana area, was reportedly attacked while he was on his way for an errand on his motorcycle and sustained critical injuries.

After initially being admitted to the Deniyaya Base Hospital, he was later transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

Police investigations have revealed that the 37-year-old Policeman, who was married, had been involved in an extramarital affair with the 26-year-old sister of the teenage monk who had attacked him over the matter. 

The Deniyaya Police arrested the teenage monk, while investigations are underway. (NewsWire)

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An unidentified body was recovered from the Galle Face beach in Colombo yesterday (Oct 10), the Police stated. 

According to the Police, the body is assumed to be that of a male aged between 35-40 years.

The individual was found with a shaved head, while the Police had also recovered a maroon colour robe in the vicinity.

The Police said it is assumed that the deceased may be a monk. The Fort Police is conducting investigations. (NewsWire)

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The Police fired water cannons to disperse a group of protesting student monks near the Lipton Roundabout in Colombo today.

Police initiated action after student Buddhist monks of the Inter-University Students Federation staged a protest march towards the University Grants Commission in Colombo.

The protest march was conducted against the reduction in student enrollment for various subjects at universities. 

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=256219293926422&t=0 (NewsWire)

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Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera who was arrested for making statements that could disrupt religious harmony has been remanded. 

The Fort Magistrate’s Court today remanded Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera until June 07, 2023. 

The Police arrested Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera in Anuradhapura early this morning. 

The Venerable Thera was arrested based on a complaint filed by a fellow monk,  Venerable Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera.

The complaint accuses Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera of having made statements that could disrupt religious harmony and are disrespectful to Buddhism. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lankan monk, Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera has been arrested for having made statements that could disrupt religious harmony. 

According to reports, Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera was arrested in Anuradhapura early this morning. 

The Venerable Thera was arrested based on a complaint filed by a fellow monk,  Venerable Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera.

The complaint accuses Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera of having made statements that could disrupt religious harmony and are disrespectful to Buddhism. (NewsWire)

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A 62-year-old monk has been remanded for sexually molesting his mistress’ 11-year-old daughter, it was reported.

According to Daily Mirror, the monk was remanded until May 30 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

The Police stated that the monk lives in a temple in Moratuwa and was arrested by the Mount Lavinia Child and Women’s Bureau based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father.

Investigations have revealed that the monk had instructed his mistress to visit him at a house in a luxury housing complex in Mount Lavinia along with her daughter.

Upon her arrival, the woman had allegedly been heavily drugged after which the monk had sexually abused her underage daughter.

Despite the child having been threatened by her mother to conceal the incident, she had informed her father and grandmother, after which they had informed the Police. 

The monk has been apprehended and remanded, while the child’s mother has been released on bail. The Mount Lavinia Police is conducting investigations. (NewsWire)

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