Monk accused of abuse remanded
Vavuniya District Judge, V. Ramakamalan, ordered to keep Ven. Atambagaskada Kalyanatissa Thera, who was charged for abusing four children under the protection of Neth Sewana Children’s Home in Vavuniya, in remand till 19 November.
By Niranjala Ariyawansha-Friday, 08 Nov 2013
Vavuniya District Judge, V. Ramakamalan, ordered to keep Ven. Atambagaskada Kalyanatissa Thera, who was charged for abusing four children under the protection of Neth Sewana Children’s Home in Vavuniya, in remand till 19 November.
The Judge also informed the police investigation unit to hand over four abused children to their parents and submit a probation report to the Court.
Commenting on the incident, Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), Anoma Dissanayake, stressed the investigations conducted against the monk, who is charged for abusing children, will not be stopped for any reason.
“Whoever did the abusing, it is a crime against children. Just because the abusing was done by a religious leader, that does not reduce the seriousness of the crime. There are people who try to sweep this issue under the carpet since a religious leader is involved in it, but we will not let that happen,” she stressed.
Dissanayake noted, once children are abused, they will not become good citizens, instead they will victimize others. Hence, society has a very big responsibility to protect children, she added. (Ceylon Today Online)
