Chief Buddhist monk of Thames Buddhist temple Ven. Pahalagama Somaratana Thera
By Colombo Telegraph –
The child abuse case against Chief Buddhist monk of Thames Buddhist temple Ven. Pahalagama Somaratana is to begin on 10th April at Feltham crown court, BBC reports.
The monk who was intially charged with one count of rape of a female under 16 and three counts of indecent assault during his tenure at Chiswick temple
Subsequently on Friday, 11 November he was further charged with 8 counts of Indecent assault on a female under 14 between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1986 at an address in Croydon,London Metropolitan police told Colombo Telegraph
65 year old Somaratana thero appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday for an initial hearing. Court sources told the BBC that both cases involving two different alleged victims would be heard together. Monk had pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
Related news;
London Chief Buddhist Thero Charged For More Rape
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
Ganga K / December 23, 2011
Naath kiyala!!! not guilty? huh, will see!
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Dil / December 23, 2011
why dont anyone translate this to Sinhala and publish… ? because the JHU people also should know that there are culprits among them too…..
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Dr, Maverick / December 24, 2011
Agreed. Especially to that Environment guy
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Bodinayaka / December 24, 2011
what you accept from human? to be perfect always. This is a man wearing cloths and following or pretending to follow the religion of Buddhism.or philosophy whatever you call it. He has done it or not we have to wait and find out. What JHU has to do it with? JHU is there for to protect the remaining Buddhist influences in all areas. weather it’s a temple or scripture. Which is unique in Sri Lanka, and before it will be like India where the Buddhism is lost in translation. And it’s only thing we have to be proud of but we hardly follow. What If Jesus is a myth story picked and fabricated from Torah’s and other religious history scriptures as they say. That where truth is bitter. right? enjoy the false life for a short time or accept the facts where you have to bow for the truth? its you to decide my friend. Happy Christmas by the way. we will wait and see what exactly happen with this “Saadu” .
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R.M.B Senanayake / December 24, 2011
This has nothing to do with the Buddha’s teaching which is hardly practiced in Sri Lanka. Budddhism is a cloak for the Sinhalese to cover themselves with for it is the foundation of Sinhala nationalism. The monks are the champions of Sinhala Buddhist nationalism. They opposed every attempt by the political leaders to resolve the just grievances of the Tamils. But the LLRC faults the politicial leaders instead. While the alleged child abuse is a failing due to human weakness I consider much more serious the monks who regularly oppose justice for the minorities.
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Bodinayaka / December 24, 2011
I agree with Senanayaka, I’ll blame the so called buddhist’s for not extracting the good in it, may be it’s because of the Hindu dumb beliefs and the Christians God beliefs effected badly surrounding them. I’m sure if they focus they can easily tighten their bolts. I blame JHU guys for not ” Tahtte palanethea hamuduruwange” for not giving a proper Buddhist education.
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SRILANKA DAYAKA / December 24, 2011
Anyway if the assaults had taken place in the premises of the lord buddha is wrong if its true. The holy place should be fumigated once and for all for the sake of the sacredness. In the olden days they fumigate by setting fire. I wonder how the dayakas feels about it.?
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SRILANKA DAYAKA / December 24, 2011
CAN BE FUMIGATED WITH HOLY WATER? LIKE THEY DO IN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.?
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shamili / December 25, 2011
Never would come to court in sri lanka, only surprise this pervert was using girls not boys.
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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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Lakshmi DeviHe also visits them / April 25, 2012
It is really sad what has happened.this priest has got many good qualities but sadly if he has abused these women in the past it is not an excuse.I have seen many occasions how close he is to the committee members especially the ladies.He treat them as his buddies and many women love to say that he phones them often and have very long conversations.He has his favourites and you can see them coming daily to watch the drama in the courts.These women from around Croydon must be lacking the male attention from their husband’s.I have seen many times this priest touching young women and his eagle eye wondering where priests should not dare.Yet he says he hasn’t touched which is a sin.He invites his special friends for dinners at Selsdon, but the present chairman who is a doctor keeps a blind eye as many othersin the committee ,is it because he has helped them in getting favours in Sri lanka or do they feel he is above any law?
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