A Buddhist monk has been sentenced to death by the Tangalle Magistrate over the murder of a farmer.
Another suspect was also given the death sentence over the murder of the farmer by the Tangalle Magistrate today.
This is the first time that a monk has been sentenced to death since 1962, the Magistrate had said.
In 1962 a monk was sentenced to death over the assassination of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D Bandaranaike.
Bandaranaike’s assassin Talduwe Ratugama Rallage Weris Singho better known as Talduwe Somarama openly converted to Christianity, just weeks prior to being hanged in the Welikada gallows.
--------------------------------------------------------------
| |
| Chief Buddhist monk of Thames Buddhist temple Ven. Pahalagama Somaratana Thera |
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.
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
Further charges
Subsequently on Friday, 11 November he was further charged with 8 counts of Indecent assault on a female under 14 between 01/01/1985 - 31/12/1986 at an address in Croydon.
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.
--------------------------------------- 
Buddhist Pali university 'most corrupt'
| |
| 'Instead of taking steps to resolve student's issues, thugs were sent to beat up Buddhist monks during the night' |
Students of the Buddhist Pali University in Sri Lanka have accused university authorities of failing to take action against corrupt officials despite parliament damning the university. Panama Ananda Thero, president of the student union, told BBC Sandeshaya that 26 student monks and seven lay students were suspended from the university following student campaigns against "corrupt practises" by the university authorities. A recent report by the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) has described the Buddhist and Pali University as the "most corrupt government institution," he said. CoPE report Around 300 students, monks and laymen, who marched to the higher education ministry on Tuesday also accused the officials as well as the university authorities of engaging in a witch hunt against student activists.
 |  It has been the practice for years that many who first enter the university later leaves for other universities
 University Chancellor, Ittademaliye Indasara Nayake Thera |
Ananda Thero said none of the authorities were available at the ministry to discuss the concerns of the protesters. "Instead of taking steps to resolve student's issues, thugs were sent to beat up Buddhist monks during the night and abusive language was used again monk-students," said student leader, Ananda Thero. The university authorities, on their part, accused the students of organising protests without prior discussion with the university. Ittademaliye Indasara Nayake Thero, the chancellor of the university also dismissed some of the allegations made by the student monks, including the delaying of holding entrance exams.
"It has been the practice for years that many who first enter the university later leaves for other universities," the Nayake Thera told BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya. |
|
