A robe-clad individual attached to a temple in Sivalakulama, Galenbindunuwewa, has been sentenced to 24 years rigorous imprisonment by the Anuradhapura High Court for the serious sexual abuse of a 10-year-old boy who had been entrusted to the temple by his parents for education, NewsFirst reported on Friday.
The sentence was handed down by High Court Presiding Judge Ruwan Dhammika Dissanayake, who found the accused guilty on two indictments filed by the Attorney General. The court also ordered the convict to pay Rs. 500,000 in compensation to the victim.
The abuse took place between May 1 and May 24, 2015, according to evidence led at trial.
The accused is currently absconding and has continued to evade court proceedings, NewsFirst said.
The sentence is the second long custodial term handed down by an Anuradhapura court against a robe-clad temple resident for child sex offences in recent weeks. In May, the same High Court sentenced a monk to 30 years rigorous imprisonment for a separate set of indictments. The cases come against a broader backdrop in which the National Sangha Council and registrars of the country’s principal Nikayas have moved to urge 23 monks to disrobe over criminal and disciplinary matters ranging from drug smuggling to abuse.
