By Colombo Telegraph –
Pahalagama Somaratana Thero with President Rajapakse
Pahalagama Somaratana Thero, chief incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara, Croydon, 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.
On Friday, 23 September Phalagama Somartana thero of Dulverton Road, Croydon appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court charged with rape of another 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.
Related news; London Chief Buddhist Thero Child Abuse Case – High Commission to represent Thero ?
Update- London Chief Buddhist Thero remanded for rape
London Chief Buddhist Thero, 65, held by rape cops
A Victimised Buddhist / December 10, 2011
Some people are angry at the news and some people at the priest. Those who are angry at the news appear to be harbouring all kinds of conspiracy theories, from LTTE to the Westerners who are all out there to destroy Sinhala Buddhism. those who are angry at the priest appear to be in the belief that it is the end of Buddhism.
One should not forget that it is in Western countries that Buddhism is now flourishing and not in countries where it had been there for centuries. For instance, in Sri Lanka, the number of people who embrace Buddhism having given up their previous religion per annum is less than the number of fingers on one’s two hands. But the number who give up Buddhism is on the increase. In contrast, in Western countries where people are illusioned by the existing religious beliefs and dissatisfied with the prevailing social conditions, many have embraced Buddhism, as preached by both Theravada and Mahayana sects.
The sexual repression of Buddhist monks has been so harsh that they had resorted to various kinky sex practices even during the Buddha’s time. One should look at only the Paraajikaa Paaliya of Vinaya Pitakaya to learn of these bizarre practices. Hence, what has happened in the London Thames Buddhist Vihara is not something unusual. During the Buddha’s time, any monk who had doubts whether he had committed a breach of Vinaya, he had the access to the Buddha or other senior monks to have his doubts clarified. If there was a breach of Vinaya, he was declared as having been Paaraajikaa and requested to leave the Saasana. This is what is not happening now. Even those who have committed a breach of Vinaya continue to defend themselves and remain in Saasana as if nothing has happened. They also try to solicit refuge of crafty politicians who instantly come to their rescue because they then become life long slaves of those politicians.
One should be angry at this and not at the particular incident that has happened at London Thames Buddhist Vihara or the London Police which has prosecuted the Buddhist priest in question.
Don’t get angry at me when I confess that I myself had been a victim of such sexual abuse by several Buddhist monks when I was a young boy in this very Dharmadveepa or Buddha’s Land called Sri Lanka. But I do not harbour any animosity against those Buddhist monks and try to understand what they did and why they did it.
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Kumuduni akkawa danna kenek / December 10, 2011
C’mon guys, those girls might not be non-buddhists.
Because, Kumuduni akka knows all about that !
By the way, why doesn’t Kumuduni akka complain anything about what happened to her from that ‘hamuduru-man’ ? It’s just because she would be the only one that got real entertainment / pleasure from those private encounters, and probably got a ‘sowan’ state !
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Dr.Wijebahu / December 10, 2011
Please don’t bring other religions, nationalities,LTTE or any other groups.This is a criminal charge ,he is charged by the crown prosicution service,and we should watch what is going to happen as this is England ,and we expect fair play.
Dr.Wijebahu
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kumudini / December 11, 2011
PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE A DISGRACE . IT IS SO SHAMEFUL TO ACCUSE PEOPLE UNLESS ALL THE FACTS ARE KNOWN. THIS IS TRUE SRILANKAN STYLE . GO WITH THE MISCHIEF MAKERS TO CREATE AS MUCH MAYHAM AS POSSIBLE . LOOK AT THE FILTH YOU ARE WRITING .CLAIMING TO KNOW ME . IN FACT THE REAL SITIUATION IS THAT THE FACTS WERE NOT REPORTED CORRECTLY AND I POINTED IT OUT . THE SECOND CASE WAS ONE UNDERAGE GIRL BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED 8 TIMES . NO MENTION OF RAPE WAS MENTIONED BY HER ,IT IS ONE CASE AND NOT 8 DIFFERENT CASES AS MENTIONED BY THE COLOMBO TELEGRAPH . MAYBE THERE WAS A CASE OF NOT UNDERSTANDING THE SITUATION THAT PROMPTED INACCURATE INFORMATION TO BE PUBLISHED .
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Bashini / December 11, 2011
@Kumuduni, in this story Colombo Telegraph never says 8 cases, it says “8 counts”. so,what’s wrong? and even re rape did u see how it interprited by law?
here again!
The new offence of rape in section 1(1) SOA 2003 includes oral and anal penetration with a penis. This is a change from the previous law which was only concerned with vaginal penetration and used other offences to criminalise these forms of sexual violence (such as indecent assault).
Note; Specific offences relating to children under 13, 16 and 18
http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/Definitionofrape2.php
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Bashini / December 11, 2011
@Kumudunui, how could you say Colombo Telegraph accused him? this is story only reported facts.cant you see it?
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hansan / May 2, 2012
Please tell Kumudini no matter Front or rear is also also rape. Be aware.
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Manel Deshapriya / December 10, 2011
This is a true story, and this person was taking advise from mervin silva. That’s the reason he’s in big shit now.. good,,,
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sri lal dies ( srilanka hounslow janahada padanama) / December 12, 2011
(removed) , uk cristian s did all shit work ,roman cathalic ppl done this , (removed)
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Mohan / December 13, 2011
(removed by the moderator)
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Rajarathnam Krishna / December 13, 2011
Mohan you go to hell for lying. The situation you talk about is non-existent. The entire case is a conspiracy against the priest by a Sri Lankan,(removed by the moderator)
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Rajarathnam Krishna / December 13, 2011
The entire case is a conspiracy against the priest by a Sri Lankan, (removed by the moderator)
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nizr / December 13, 2011
God created men & women to be as natural partners in life to cohabit and regenerate under the framework of legal binding. i.e. Marriage. I am at a loss to understand what on earth some religions precludes their priests from having their life partners from their opposite sex through marriage and let, at the same time, perform their religious duties… After all they are also human beings and having sexual feelings. What you all read in the media are only the tip of an iceberg. In reality it is widespread in most religious institutions worldwide.. .
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latha / December 13, 2011
Hohoho ho Kumudini, you changed your tone, this is your comment to Sunday Leader;
All the SL have jumped the gun in assuming he is guilty . A man is innnocent until proven guilty is not a phrase that is common to SL . They are very gullible and prone to hearsay , gossip and rumours . This does not mean that i know what happened . it is a case of i do not know exactly what actually happend . Where were the parents of these underage girls when this happened ? How come it happened in a temple ? Were there no one else in the temple when these events took place . Let us be patient till the nitty gritty is known in the trial , without coming to our own conclusion . He definitely deserves punishmnet if found guilty . Till then I keep an open mind , as there are so many unanswered questions regarding this case.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/12/11/london-chief-buddhist-thero-charged-for-more-rape/
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KUMUDINI / December 15, 2011
YOU POSSIBLY ARE ONE OF THE SL WHO ARE DELUSIONAL AND DEMENTED TO GIVE A VERDICT BEFORE THE JUDGE GIVES HIS VERDICT . i HAVE NOT CHANGED THE TONE . ANY SANE PERSON KNOWS THAT CRIME HAS A PUNISHMENT .
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newton abbey. / December 15, 2011
Any other similar cases to come out in the near future?. Please those young ones in the seventies or eighties. Please speak up. Speak to the right people to put this kind of predators in the rightful place not to keep them in the temple and worship them . Are there any more suffering in silence? . Please go to the law. Secrecy helps these predators to survive and thrive . Ask your concience is it right or wrong to expose these people who had done a serious crime. Truth prevails always. Remember you are in a country which punishes this kind of criminals without mercy. Which comes first the religion or pardoning/harbouring a criminal. A criminal can be a criminal of all sorts. Including inappropriate activities performed in temples .
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jingle bells / December 15, 2011
All those who bury there heads and support this so called temple activities or crimes should be ashamed of themselves
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TEMPLE OF THE TRUTH / December 15, 2011
HERE HERE HOORAY!
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Ven Paiyagala Sumangala / December 19, 2011
Looks as if Pahalagama Sumangala has gone to NIRVANA while on his way to Dharma Rajya after too much of practise of Kama Sutra…
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Prasanna / December 19, 2011
Onama Balu Wadak Karala Okung Kiyanne Pinwath Sadhadhawathung Wandinne Cheewarayata Kiyala…
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kalu malli / December 19, 2011
Why so quiet??????? Is it the humm before the Tsunami tomorrow the 20 th of Dec.? ISLEWORTH CROWN COURT?
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Pingback: Update: London Buddhist Thero’s Child Abuse Hearing In April « Colombo Telegraph / December 23, 2011
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Ahinsaka / January 23, 2012
Why so quiet for such a long time. At least for the Croydon case.
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SRILANKA DAYAKA / February 2, 2012
waiting for the prayers to come to end in good faith. god please help the hamudru.
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Pingback: London Chief Buddhist Thero Child Abuse Cases Begins | Colombo Telegraph / April 16, 2012
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Pingback: London Chief Buddhist Thero Child Abuse Cases: Alleged Rape And Abuse Occurred After Sunday School | Colombo Telegraph / April 19, 2012
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hansan / May 2, 2012
Monk Convited. Now what to say. These things happen in close doors so I wonder how can one say It did not happen when the victim herself telling. If some one like Kumudini to protect the Monk before hand seems like she had seen it happening.
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Tilak / September 17, 2012
It is a pity that all these people, though perturbed by the story, try to shift blame.In Sri Lanka, where nothing is transparent as well as Buddhism is distorted by the preachers themselves and the ugly politicians, this type of low activity may be tolerated but how about the victim?
Why is rape or molestation or abuse really criminal. It is because it is done without consent or using force or to a person who does not fully understand the gravity of the act being committed. Pushing an index or even the penis may not have any long standing consequences, other than if involving a girl, getting her pregnant. People like Kumudini and some others who were trying to cover up, may be for sake of modesty, may be liking these acts but through their stupidity, are actually helping these rogues adorning robes. Why we single them is because they are people governed by a supeior set of laws, unlike us laymen.
Violating others rights have become order of the day in Sri Lanka. That is why all these prople are immune or supporting this type of criminal behaviour.We have to eradicate thi from our Motherland, if we are to boast that Buddhism prevails in sri Lanka.
We have to be more transparent and bring all who violate law or the rights of another to the book and deal harshly with the criminal, irrespective of cast, creed, religion or walk of life. Equity should prevail. Mens Rea should be eliminating by positively dealing with Actus Reus.
It is not only those who do the crime is in the wrong but all those whose look the otherway, accommodate, condone, tolerate or try to defend, are equally guilty of that crime.
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Srlal / May 3, 2013
This picture shows the high and noble character of Mahindha Rajapaksa for he associates with such people. Stupid and shameless Sri Lankans are in for a great treat with this company for a long time to come.
At least now the people should open their eyes and brains, and bring down this corrupt and power greedy regime.
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