Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne has ordered Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, the former Chief Custodian and Head Prelate of the eight sacred Buddhist sites (Atamasthana) in Anuradhapura, to provide a blood sample for DNA testing in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl.
The court directed the monk to appear before the Government Analyst's Department on 16 June and submit a blood sample for forensic examination. The sample will be compared with biological evidence already recovered during the investigation.
The order was issued after Nittambuwa Police submitted a further report to court detailing developments in the case. Investigators informed the Magistrate that, pursuant to an earlier court directive, several items of clothing believed to be linked to the incident had been sent to the Government Analyst on 4 May 2026 for forensic testing. Police stated that the garments, which had allegedly been buried and concealed, were subsequently recovered during the course of the investigation.
According to police submissions, forensic analysis confirmed the presence of DNA material on the recovered clothing, prompting investigators to seek a court order compelling the suspect to provide a blood sample for comparison.
After considering the request, the Magistrate authorised the collection of the sample and instructed the Government Analyst to submit a final report upon completion of the DNA analysis.
The monk, who was previously remanded in custody in relation to the case, has since been released under strict bail conditions.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the seniority of the accused and the grave nature of the allegations. As one of the most prominent Buddhist religious figures in Anuradhapura, the accusations have raised serious concerns about accountability within Sri Lanka's influential Buddhist institutions.
