Monk gets 21 year prison term for sexual abuse

 Wednesday, 16 July 2014 

The head of a Pirivena at Paradise in Kuruwita has been found guilty of sexually abusing a novice monk aged 13 years, and sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Ratnapura high court judge Achala Singappuli handed the sentence that is to be served within seven years, BBC Sandeshaya reports.

Balangoda Wijayanaga was indicted on three charges, and the court handed him a prison term of seven years for each of the charges.

The convicted monk was also ordered to pay a Rs. 300,000 compensation, at Rs. 100,000 per each charge, to the complainant.

If the compensation is not paid, it will be turned into a fine and a two year compulsory prison term at eight months per charge, was also imposed on him.

The sexual abuse had taken place on or near 17 March 2003 and indictment was served in 2009.

The victim is now aged 26 years and is disrobed.