Police probe abuse claims

5 May 2010 04:53 am - 58 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Trincomalee police have begun an investigation into claims by two underage girls that they were abused over a period of three years by a Buddhist monk who was in charge of the hostel the two girls were residing at.

According to the police the two girls, who are now aged 15 and 17, had informed their school teachers about the abuse they faced and the teachers had informed the school principal who in turn informed the police.

Police spokesman S.P Jayakody, when contacted by Daily Mirror online, said investigations into the claims are now underway but the monk, against who the charges have been leveled, is yet to be arrested. Parents and residents staged a protest outside the Hostel this morning demanding that the monk be removed. (Daily Mirror online)

Pic shows the protest outside the hostel. Pic by Amadoru Amarageeva

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Comments - 58

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:58 AM

It seems that Monks have realised underaged girls lack the knowledge on Damma.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 08:20 AM

Being a Buddhist, I felt deeply distressed to hear this story. Yet, it is inappropriate and unreasonable for people to make critical comments about the conduct of Buddhist priests in general solely going on the basis of this single case. As we all know, in any religious faith, there are clergy members who engage in dishonourable and sinful behaviour. It is imprudent to proceed to paint all the clergy with the same brush because of the deplorable behaviour of a few black sheep.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 08:23 AM

hahahaha Mohan i really love your comment yes Buddhist Monks should be in Temples not driving cars, being in parliament and in charge of girls hostel this surely is a banana republic and May God Bless it. nothing has changed much with the Banana Republic lol

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 08:32 AM

Caristus,what about the Catholic priest,at the moment especially in the West from Cardinals to ordinary Christian monks sexual violence against boys have led the vatican to appologise,so just dont point the finger to these Rogue Monks ONLY

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 08:32 AM

If the Chief monk had a back bone, he would have removed the monks who have become 'political mudalalis' a long time ago. These political mudalali monks even threatened the chief priest and got the sangha sabha cancelled! What back bone are you talking about??

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 08:55 AM

The person who Criticize a religion, has no religion... forget about critics they make...

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:30 AM

Yes all are human beings, but they embrace the priesthood without a higher calling for such precious positions, that's why they have become compromising. Difference being only wearing priestly garments.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:33 AM

exactly they should be Eunuchs!

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:34 AM

This is not about religion, but about philosophy!

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:36 AM

You do that Rehani.. I bet your father, brother, husband, boy friend, uncle, school teacher would be real proud of you for putting them in to the same category as this pervert...

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:42 AM

True... I myself am not a buddhist but agree, cos it's the logical way to think... like they say just cos one dog bit you you don't go killing all dogs around you....

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:50 AM

unfortunately we live in a corrupt society. at the same time one must realize how some girls & women dress in the name of fashion, some are half naked which arouse the feelings of males. then blame the males when something happens.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:52 AM

LOL, being a man means having a natural tendancy to abuse underaged girls? Give me a break.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:54 AM

If the chief monk is to remove such monks, there won't be any monks left in the country.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:56 AM

hahaha...

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:58 AM

SIMPLE SOLUTION:

All clergy, Catholic , Budhist or any other, must be CASTRATED when taking oaths (ie prior to becoming a clergy)

After all no one is forced to become a clergy

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:18 AM

Still I couldnt get a proper answer for my quiery?
Is it the real teaching of Budhism that monks can not marry
or some thing innovated lately?

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:22 AM

Don't rush to insult a great religion. (something fishy in your statement, isn't it?)

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:35 AM

parents should not leave their children for some one else to take care of them. children should always be under surveillance of parents.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:35 AM

parents should not leave their children for some one else to take care of them. instead children should always be under surveillance of parents.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:36 AM

Wow. You havent heard how women abuse too? i have heard of enough of stories how women burn, beat and torture their servants. Even my GF near got her purse stolen right from her bag from a woman... its not a about being a man or a woman.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:51 AM

All the leaders of religions... should allow their clergy to get married. Because under the Robe... there is a well fed human being. Hormones are oozing... they cant control their desires. When ever they get an opportunity they will go for it whether its legal or illegal. They are also human beings like us.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:52 AM

If you are accepting priesthood, you are suppose to overcome all kind of temptations, desires including lust, gradually giving up all. Unless one develops self control through meditation in dharma in order to overcome totally, such priesthood is in vain. Getting married will become a hindrance to the priesthood.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:56 AM

If he is not happy, with the concurrence of the first wife they can marry again. They have a choice of 4 women! Not a bad deal!

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:07 AM

Its the Monks who brought SL to its current pathetic state. Remember Somawansa, Buddarakita and other such crooks. Unfortunately in the South they wield too much power over the rural masses. Time to get rid of them and put the country back on its feet.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:08 AM

You are correct to say so. These guys are trying to tarnish Buddhism using such isolated incidents. Why do they not ask removal of all school principles because few were caught recently abusing pupils? And all doctors as few were caught abusing patients? And all catholic priests as some were caught in UK? I believe these guys are having an ulterior motive.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:24 AM

"Priests (of all relegions) are human beings" yes but is chiled abuse a human act?? it is inhuman and criminal cmon guys, criminal is a criminal esspecialy when you are knowledgable. How if an ordinary uneducated game kolla did this.criminal act.?? his house will be burnt and how will the police treat him??? who ever does a criminal act treat them as criminals irrespective of their possition especialy when you are of a responsible age.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:33 AM

A person seeks priesthood on committment. One reliquishes worldly desires or pleasures and relates ones life to the faith/practice. Sri Lankan buddhist priests are notorious for dishonesty and bad behaviour thus being an insult to the great teachings of Lord Buddha and all other exemplary buddhists in other countries. Virtually all buddhist monks in Sri Lanka are involved in politics and undesirable activities in one form or another that ordinary sinhalese fail to condone due to racial patriotism.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:33 AM

we didn't hear about catholic priests, but we heard about BUDDHIST MONKS, they introducing these kind of things to new generation.............

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:15 AM

By the way, what were they doing for 3yrs without complaining?

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:01 AM

WHO IN THE RIGHT MIND WILL GIVE OUTSIDE MALES TO LOOK AFTER FEMALES

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:04 AM

Buddhist monks are famous for this and many more other things, which they are not supposed to do.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:15 AM

Catch him, before he flees and disrobe.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:19 AM

all the men are the same...they only try to show there power among the women...we should stand togather against all the abused men do ...

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:28 AM

And yet we bow down to them ..LOL

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:29 AM

I Don't why, I Don't know why, these buddhist monks should be punished

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:52 AM

The nakedness of buddhist monks are being revealed over a period of time! Beware of false monks wearing safron robs!!!

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:55 AM

Where in the world have you heard of male monks looking after females.Looking after males is bad enough.
What does the Police dept in charge of womens affairs have to say?

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:58 AM

We should formulate new rules against clergymen, doctors , teachers and people involved in such honourable professions getting involved in these abuses.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:00 AM

Monk in charge of a girls hostel ? Ha Ha Haaa the banana republic has all this.

Monks are driving cars, monks are in the parliament, - god bless banana republic.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:04 AM

Who in their right mind will leave boys or girls to be cared for by unmarried men? Whether monk or layman.
Haven't we heard enough about the abuse of boys by unmarried Catholic men (priests).
The Govt. or the Social Services minister and also the minister for women' affairs, should intervene an look into these institutions to avoid these incidents in the future.
Lessons to be learned.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:04 AM

Most of the monks come from poverty stricken, broken families
if you care to look in to their life stories.Most of them are ordained at very young ages in the name of Buddhism violating fundamental children rights and given to the custody of another priest of the same upbringing exposing them to coercion. This is high time to restore the laws pertaining to ordination of kids and youth under the age of 21.If people cannot afford to feed the children, the answer is social service and the government not the temple.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:14 AM

How about Catholics priests sexually abusing children? Are you blind to that? Men are men whatever the wear if they cannot control their lust. So don't blame only Buddhist Monks.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:14 AM

Why should a Buddhist monk be in charge of a girls hostel.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:00 AM

Surely this sort of thing has gone on for centuries without detection. Glad the girls were brave enough to tell their teachers about it.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:19 AM

"Bana" talking ! Even boys are not safe with Buddhist priests, so it is rather queer that a priest is given charge of under-age girls.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:26 AM

This is a common thing in Sri Lanka and there are so many who indulge in this kind of activity but they are swept under the carpet. Take it easy.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:37 AM

while strongly condemning this act, i agree with JBT. this is not a matter of the religion, its a matter of being a "man". just because a few priests (in any religion) behave in this nature that does not reflect that all priests are the same.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:37 AM

most abuse victims, particularly children are confused about what is right and wrong. religious or not, adults are expected to know better and treat children with respect and proper guidance. It is not their fault for not coming up about it sooner. And religious people too are challenged at times and should more disciplined in doing the correct thing.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:37 AM

This is why Islam says for males "If a male has healthy body and a reasonable earning capacity let them marry, and if they don't have either of these let them do fasting to control their feelings"
Islamic priests too do marriage and have a happy life.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:37 AM

It is about time the authorities do something about this , no matter how sensitive it is. There are lot of good monks, but there are some really bad monks too. Some monks are a law unto themselves. In this day and age, the society cannot let this sort of thing go on. No matter what denomination they belong to, the clergy should be accountable for their actions.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:01 AM

Priests of all religions are human beings.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:02 AM

What is the solution? if a monk wants to have it? I would like to know is it the real teaching of Budhism that monk can not marry? Please note that culprits are there every where but
what is the solution for a man if he can not marry?

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:11 AM

Sri Lanka must remove all unwanted currupted monks. fortunately we do have a chief priest with a solid back bone to do so!!

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:24 AM

Monks should be prohibited in handling female hostels, surely are there Female Matrons with respect and dignity who can counsel, love and care for such girls who are destitute, why place them in the hands of vulture Monks who tread on these poor girls vulnerability.... disrobe this man and put him somewhere to be rehabilitated...

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:28 AM

Only when the culprits are severely punished and brought in to light, and public is aware,and vigilante,
parents will be precautionary.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:35 AM

if he is really guilty then he should be stoned to death. if this happen 3yrs before then this is a child abusing disgrace.

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 07:42 AM

I am wondering who asked the male buddhist monks at the hostel to look after the young girls? who is the authority behind this hostel? please save the children.

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Police probe abuse claims

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