Buddhist Monk’s Sexual Abuse of Minor in Anuradhapura: Law Must Not Bow to Religion – Vasuki Vallipuram

Former Coordinator of the North-East Women’s Collective, Vasuki Vallipuram, has urged authorities not to allow religion to become a shield for criminals, following the alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl by a Buddhist monk in Anuradhapura.

She made these remarks while addressing the media during a protest organised by the North-East Women’s Collective behind the Nallur Temple in Jaffna on Wednesday, demanding justice for the victim.

Vasuki Vallipuram stated that Sri Lanka’s Constitution and legal framework contain strict provisions regarding punishment for sexual abuse offenders. However, she said the decision to grant bail to the Buddhist monk accused of sexually abusing a minor girl in Anuradhapura is being viewed as a serious challenge to the country’s justice system.

She stressed that the law must be equal for everyone and warned that no one should attempt to distort or manipulate the legal process in the name of religion.

Commenting further, she expressed concern that many civil society groups representing the majority community in the South have remained largely silent on the issue because the accused is a Buddhist monk.

Vasuki Vallipuram described the incident as one of the most horrific injustices committed against a child in Sri Lanka and called on all relevant authorities to ensure that the law is properly implemented and justice is served without interference.

She also stated that the North-East Women’s Collective is preparing to send written appeals regarding the demand for justice to the President, the Minister of Justice, the Attorney General, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, and the Inspector General of Police.

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