By Colombo Telegraph –
Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Great Britain and chief incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara, Parivenadhipathi of the Vidyaravinda Pirivena, Pahalagama, Gampaha and Chief Lekakhadhikari of the Sri Kalyani Samagi Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha has been convicted of four counts of indecent assault on a underage, sentenced to 7 years in prison a judge ruled today. He is also banned for working with children for life and his name is added to sex offenders register for life, a court spokesman told Colombo Telegraph.
The former “Venerable” Pahalegama Somaratana, The monk with Mahinda Rajapaksa and The Thames Buddhist Vihara
Monk Pahalagama Somaratana, 65, of Dulverton Road, Croydon was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court on 1, May, of four counts of indecent assault on a female under 16 between January 01, 1977 and December 31,1978 at an address in Chiswick.
He was found not guilty of the rape of a female under 16 between January 1,1977 and December 31,1978 at an address in Chiswick and not guilty of indecent assault on a female under 14 between January 01,1985 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, 14 September 2010 a (then) 64-year-old monk was arrested on suspicion of an historical indecent assault and rape. He was questioned at Heathrow police station and later bailed pending further enquiries
He was charged on 12 September 2011 and further charged on 11 November 2011.
On Friday, 23 September Pahalagama Somaratana, chief incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara, of Dulverton Road, Croydon appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court charged with rape of female under 16 between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick and indecent assault on a female under 16 between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick.
Pahalagama Somaratana , has been charged with another eight counts of sexual abuse on Friday, 11 November, the London Metropolitan police told Colombo Telegraph. According to the metropolitan police these eight indecent assaults on a female under 14 took place between January 01,1985 and December 31,1986 at an address in Croydon.The 65-year-old Pahalagama Somaratana thero appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 2 December and was bailed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on December 20, 2011.
To read Pahalagama Sri Somaratana and religious child abuse Stories click here
Mahiyangana / June 1, 2012
YOU SHOULD HAVE LIVE IN SL AND JOINED THE RULING PARTY COULD’VE ESCAPED FROM PRISON.
HAMUDURUWO GANA DUKAI!
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Raju / June 1, 2012
At least the monk should have joined Prbhakaran. His cronies were never found fault on any wrong doing. If the Sri Lankan Government was able to convict him, the UNP would have defended him the way they defend Sarath Fonska for political gain.
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jaliya / June 1, 2012
Looks like great Briton is Great hypocrisy. Convicting a person for a crime supposedly done more than 30 years ago using historical evidence. This is a conspiracy done by ungy British to discredit Buddhism.
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sakvithi / June 1, 2012
You will never learn, What a shame? People like you are blind and stupid. You are not a true buddhist as you can only support a pedophile. WAKE UP TRUE BUDHISTS.
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Desha Premi / June 1, 2012
What a stupid statement from jaliya.
When he did the crime does not matter. The fact that he did is what matters. Jaliya and this monk is good for the SL current regime.
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prasan / June 1, 2012
please know the facts before writing these comments
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dolly daydream / June 1, 2012
Well what can I say ? …. Karma’s a b***h. It doesn’t matter how long it takes – 1 year, 30 yrs or indeed if it reaches you in your next life – it’s still reaching you ! That’s what you as a Buddhist believe in, isn’t it, in Karma that is ?
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SERUVILA SENARATH / June 2, 2012
Every country there are many persons hiding under saffron robes , cassocks,skull caps,wearing yellow strings, applying ash on temple.
to do nasty things.
That is only for their personal gains, not to do anything to civil soecity.
It is immaterial how long ago he ,had done the crime He should be punished.
First think,what he has done? hiding under the robe.
That is a ,shame to us Buddhists. DISCREDIT TO BUDDHISM.
BEFORE writing, your comments you should analyse the facts .
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Jayalath / June 2, 2012
I am not advocating or the witness of monk what he is guilty for , but it seems to be pulled out what happened many years ago ,and would be very interesting to follow up .
If he is guilty that he should pUnish for it . But my concern is , how many wrong doings that he has involved for last few years . It seems to be that he has been having discourtesy behaviour For long time . I have no regret if he is guilty to face the consequences .
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sakvithi / June 1, 2012
Well well well What now ? I’m sure with a lot of blind supporters he’ll be out very very soon. Pl dont cry ladies.
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Rathnasiri / June 1, 2012
This is big mistake of sentenced to 7 years in prison a judge ruled for our Ven Thero. How meny evidace they have got and any forensic evidence. This is big lies of ladies and they will be punished by god
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Asathya Sri Longus Thuma / June 1, 2012
I thought there is no God in Buddhism!
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Rathnasiri / June 1, 2012
Are you budhist. Better learn some more.
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Vasu / June 5, 2012
He is not a venarable, he is vulnerable thug like HU members. He is one from HU
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Asathya Sri Longus Thuma / June 1, 2012
jaliya
You seem to be a worse hypocrite! Several black belted paedophiles have been convicted using the same kind of historical evidence in Europe and America!
Buddhism is discredited by sickand pathetic hipocrites like this monk and people like you who hesitate to call a spade a spade!
Finally, if that girl was your daughter, would you make the same defence?
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Tamil SriLankan / June 1, 2012
Britain has no reason ‘discredit’ Buddhism; maybe ‘Sinhala Buddhism’
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Raju / June 1, 2012
It is not Sinhala Buddhism. It is the Tamil Diaspora dicrediting Sinhala.
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sakvithi / June 1, 2012
RAJU, your comment is dubious. This case does nothing to Tamil diaspora.They have bigger issues to deal with. This paedo case is I guess is the minutest among their present issues to address. You only can bark up the wrong tree as usual but gain nothing.
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Naomi / June 1, 2012
This has nothing to do with Tamils discrediting Buddhism.
This vile pathetic man only got 7 yrs for his crime.
He should be locked up for the rest of his life !!!!
How can he call himself a Buddhist ???
I remember him in the 80’s and he always had an eye for the young girls.
Sick, sick, sick.
Wasn’t he also running a brothel in Gampaha with his brother????
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Piranha / June 1, 2012
The poor sod would have escaped punishment if he had been living in Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka. He would have been defended by not only Rajapaksa but also by the JHU, PNM, JVP and other sinhala buddhist patriots.
Now he is going to be some white tattooed gorilla’s bitch in prison for the next few years.Serves him right.
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sakvithi / June 1, 2012
Croydon Laddas AND Laddies will miss this Pedo. Ane boru wekka thamaye!
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Ravi / June 1, 2012
Most of the SL Buddist monks involved crime activities.
When will Monks in Sril Lanka get the sentence?
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Lakshmi DeviHe also visits them / June 1, 2012
wonder if the two women who were lamenting on 3 May managed to stay calm today ?The committee who was hiding everything should resign, and the good doctor president has to look after his wife and friend. Poson poya celebrations will be great ,now at last Mr.Somaratne is behind bars!!
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D PEIRS / June 1, 2012
Getting into saffron robes does not make one a follower of Buddism, whoever he is known as – a chief prelate or whatever.
“Devadatta” too was a man in saffron robes.
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Jim Softy / June 1, 2012
If the British Courts do the same thing to the Christian Church, Many priests all over the world lived for the last hundred years should be jail.
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Vis8 / June 1, 2012
Well Said!
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D PEIRS / June 1, 2012
yeah! for the very reason Sodom and Gommorah were destroyed. Well, if they got caught of course.
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Bodi / June 1, 2012
very well said this is just one of the things done to ruin sinhala buddhism.
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radha / June 1, 2012
of course Bodi, “this is just one of the things done to ruin sinhala buddhism”, by Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Great Britain and chief incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara, Parivenadhipathi of the Vidyaravinda Pirivena, Pahalagama, Gampaha and Chief Lekakhadhikari of the Sri Kalyani Samagi Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha Mr.Pahalagama Somaratana. LOL :) :) :) :)
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Jim Softy / June 1, 2012
Seven years for something some one did 30 years ago, it is fishy. Besides, the individual and the family kept it for almost 30 years.
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dolly daydream / June 2, 2012
Priests like teachers are seen as holding positions of trust – therefore the sentencing will be severe for this type of crime.
Also apparently it is extremely common for people to come forward many years later to report rapes etc.
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Panda / June 1, 2012
Because he is of the clergy, it does not mean he is innocent. There are pedophiles pretending to be devout monks and clergy in many religions, and this disgusting man has been found guilty of these charges.
We should be glad that at least for the next 7 years innocent children are safe from his horrible actions.
No religious institution should protect, support, and defend these, criminals. Let them face the consequences of their actions. It will be the biggest sin, in any religion, to let these pedophiles go unpunished.
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MyOhMy / June 1, 2012
Wasn’t he the same monk who came on our National TV giving Bana Deshana. I am also think these monks practicing ‘no sex please, we are monks’ is false, they all have women who they keep to feed their sexy needs. Sometimes try homosex with Abitha. Some have even little children, but no marriage license. They talk, talk and talk in bana all good things they like to hear, but do all opposite. They preach do as I say, not do what I do. Adhinna Dhana Vera Manee…They are like cads because they like to look at woman in the crowd and wink. The woman also must feel sorry for lonely boy needing to put out energy, and when they come close and say silly joke remarks to each other, then like Petrol and fire mixed, what happens next you can imagine. Eating healthy rich foods also helps. Sleeping very well during daytime, change sivura at night to go out with friends for a booze, or watch film, go and have sex, come back and change to Sivura again. Good life. Monks below 55 years should not allow. Young age, encourage marriage, live normal life. Then problem reduced.
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Rana / June 1, 2012
The Chief Monk convicted of Indecent assault not for rape. The diaspora led media and the media supporting tamils gave undue publicity to this incident and distort the facts to tarnish the Buddhism and SL. There are so many incidents happened within recent months about the judjement given by british judges showing their judicial system treat British and other minorities two different way. Very recently a Srilankan killed by stabbing to his neck by a british guy and the CCTV camera witness the incident. But the guy convicted released and put on a probation.
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radha / June 1, 2012
Hey man, don’t blame for Tamils diaspora for everything. read this;
//The victims were very brave ladies. But the mainstream media in Sri Lanka would not help get their story out to the world. The mainstream media have been censored from covering this case of child sex abuse. This is clearly a public interest issue. Firstly, this story is about the welfare of children; child abuse victims are usually not willing to come forward, but they did. Secondly, this case is based on historical allegations. It is worthwhile for the public to know how Courts deal with historical allegations. Thirdly, Somaratana was a religious leader, who breached the trust of his followers. Finally, this same monk Somaratana is running orphanages in Sri Lanka. Why did the Sri Lankan mainstream media not cover this story? Why did they censor this story? Was it because of media suppression or are they under pressure from Sinhala-Buddhist fundamentalists? Editors of Sri Lankan mainstream media should answer these questions.//
READ MORE;
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/pedophile-buddhist-sanghanayaka-of-great-britain-and-the-sri-lankan-media/
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Rathnasiri / June 1, 2012
SHUT UP
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sakvithi / June 1, 2012
The story of the murder up in the north of england has no connection with this case.Besides the murderer is underage. the law is soft on juveniles. Concentrate on good buddhism and good religious leaders to lead us buddhists into the world of righteousness.Our country needs true mahanayakas to lead us and the country into a prosperous country.When there is a bad apple discard it . In the name of religion do not hide from the truth. Our dhamma lessons never told us to support these kind of paedophiles among the robed monks. Stand for the rights not stand for the wrong doings.
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JANAKI / June 1, 2012
Exactly , The video evidence posted on the web clearly showed the man deliberately targetting the man who was killed . The Jury decided he never meant to commit the crime and was remanded for manslaughter .
iS THIS jUSTICE.???? SIMILIARLY this case too was decided by 8 women and 2 men in the jury . The verdict was 8 for and 2 against the allegations. He was convicted on the word of this woman only . How can this be proved of sexual assault which allegedly happened so many years ago when the woman was only 9 years old ?
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raymond / June 1, 2012
This saffron robe should have been hanged by the scruff of his neck until pronounced dead!
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Dudley / June 1, 2012
@ Raymond. If one were to apply the same punishment you recommended acroiss the table, there will be a dearth of Christian and Catholic priests to carry our religeon to the next decade!!.
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mahinda / June 1, 2012
Disgraceful to Holy religion…these rascals should be beheaded instead of sending to jail like done in olden days…see few of them in the parliament too very soon they will run brothels & pubs …
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ponnamperuma / June 1, 2012
Biggus in lanka and Fathers from the churches are the most dangerous.praying wolves.These people get free money from governments eat free food and start abusing women children,and homo sex activities.
free time do politics to keep busy.
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withana / June 1, 2012
Rowdies and goons in yellow robes.
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Jim Softy / June 1, 2012
Here, one Drug dealer who shot and killed a teenager (for the suspicion of slashing his BMW) got seven years.
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oobaba / June 1, 2012
Even now this bikku looks round and oh so hot. Lots of girls will still get the Inda-Bari Feeling when they see him. Cant blame him for what happene 30 yrs ago.
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Palitha. Ranatunge / June 1, 2012
No justice, only a leagal system prevails in the western world.
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roy / June 1, 2012
Men in Saffron robe,
Please bring Inamalwa Sumangala thero of Dambulla to London.
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Gon Wassa / June 2, 2012
Roy
Has your mum ask you to do so?
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roy / June 1, 2012
Look at the picture, Somey and the president, Where is the president looking and he is stunned.
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Gon Wassa / June 2, 2012
Roy
Man – You sounds like a gay. Go and see Pillian. He will fix you up for six months.
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roy / June 2, 2012
Gon wassa , We need a mee haraka like you to satisfy this guy , no wonder you have sympathy for these criminals.
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Milinda / June 1, 2012
They wear the robes and – everyone is supposed to look up to them, the society’s spiritual role models.
They preach and – everyone is supposed to listen and act to the dhamma.
The pretend to be holy and – everyone is supposed to respect them.
Yet, in reality these so-called role-models are rapists, thugs, money-loving businessmen, materialists (they love Benzes and BMW’s), and super egotists who love to indulge in political power.
If this guy was a child abuser consider the guy who flashed himself in front of the mosque in Dambulla – with his yellow-robe wide open.
Sri Lankan buddhist monks – no matter where they live, the west, east, or Sri Lanka – must be stripped of their capacity have any power.
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Sam / June 1, 2012
I do not believe British justice system.It is corrupted.This man could be innocent. [Edited out].Recently, a policeman shot black person and that lead to riot. This was covered by media and confused general public and no one charged. This country is land of conspiracy by tyranny. It is historical. So, this could be another case against Sinhala Buddhist monk that already cleared before.British , go to hell!
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Dasha Somaratna / June 4, 2012
You don’t believe the British justice system? I supposed the Sri Lankan one is a colossal gem of fairness. You should know all the facts before saying something ignorant like “Recently, a policeman shot black person and that lead to riot. This was covered by media and confused general public and no one charged.”
Charges are brought when crimes are committed. You are obviously talking about Mark Duggan (WHO WAS MIXED RACE) that was shot by British police for a crime last year. Parts of London burned for weeks and all people in the wrong black white Asian were prosecuted for crimes in one of the fairest applications of justice the world has seen following those riots.
A lot of people like you that say British go to hell lick your fingers at the chance to come to the UK and live there. A lot of you shout UK go to hell, after you immigrate as well.
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nanda / June 1, 2012
Who ever commit to do worng actions, sorrowful resuld follows him.No matter about the position.It is common truth and natural law.Yet,Any one can gain self correction,then he delights the world like moon freed from clouds.
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Sinner / June 1, 2012
There are great many happy people without sin throwing stones at this priest. I know of somebody who would be ashamed of them.
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