Will the President Protect the Dhamma or Protect Accused Monks?

25/05/2026

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To the Buddhist Community of Sri Lanka and the World:

Our Sasana is facing a moment of profound moral crisis. The core values of Buddhism, compassion, truth (Sacca), and the strict moral code of the Vinaya are being severely tested, not by outside forces, but from within our own highest institutions.

Recent events have shattered the collective conscience of Buddhists everywhere:

The Custodian of the Sacred Eight Sites, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, has been arrested and remanded in custody over the alleged rape and sexual assault of a 15-year-old child. Compounding this tragedy, the child’s own mother has been arrested for aiding and abetting this unthinkable abuse.
Twenty-three monks were simultaneously arrested in Colombo after being caught smuggling 110 kilograms of high-potency cannabis (Kush) into the country, hidden in false bottoms of their luggage following a sponsored trip to Thailand.

When those who wear the sacred saffron robe, the ultimate symbol of renunciation and moral purity are accused of predatory behavior against children and international drug trafficking, silence is no longer an option.

True Protection of Buddhism is Not a Political Shield

For decades, political leaders have used the promise of “protecting Buddhism” as a tool for political gain, often granting high-ranking monks a shield of near-total impunity. We must ask our leadership a critical question: Does protecting Buddhism mean protecting the political power of compromised individuals, or does it mean upholding the rule of law and the purity of the Dhamma?

To shield individuals accused of such grievous crimes under the guise of “safeguarding the religion” does not protect Buddhism; it destroys it from the inside out.

“Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so the wise are not affected by praise or blame.” – The Dhammapada

True wisdom demands that we look at this crisis with clear eyes. If the state fails to prosecute these cases with absolute transparency and rigor, it sends a message that the robe stands above justice, and that the vulnerable are disposable.

A Call to Action for the Lay Community and Righteous Monks

The Buddha taught us that the Sasana relies on four pillars: Monks (Bhikkhus), Nuns (Bhikkhunis), Laymen (Upasakas), and Laywomen (Upasikas). When the monastic pillar falters, it is the duty of the lay community and righteous, disciplined monks to demand accountability.

Demand Absolute Legal Transparency: We must insist that the judiciary and immigration authorities resist any political or institutional pressure. There must be zero interference in the trial of Pallegama Hemarathana Thero or the drug-smuggling ring.
Prioritize the Vulnerable Over the Powerful: Our immediate compassion must lie with the 15-year-old victim and all victims of abuse. The institutional power of a title or a sacred site must never outweigh the safety and dignity of a child.
Reform the Sasana: The ease with which monastic institutions have been compromised by wealth, sponsored luxury trips, and criminal enterprises highlights an urgent need for internal purification and stricter adherence to the Vinaya.

Conclusion

The survival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka does not depend on the political immunity of its hierarchy. It depends on truth, justice, and moral integrity. We urge the President, the government, and the Mahanayaka Theros to act decisively.

Let the law take its course without fear or favor. Let us protect the Dhamma, protect our children, and cleanse our institutions, so that the robe may once again be viewed with the unblemished reverence it deserves.