German woman assaulted by archaeological worker at Mihintale sacred site

Police have arrested an archaeology department employee who allegedly attempted to sexually harass a German national female tourist who visited the historic Mihintale sacred site.

According to the police, this thirty-year-old foreign woman had come to visit the Kanthaka Chethiya yesterday during a religious procession. There, the suspect employee, who is assigned to work at that location, forcibly took her to a restricted area near the Kanthaka Chethiya, where tourists are prohibited from entering, and attempted to commit this harassment.

The Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Dr. Walawahangunawewe Dhammaratana Nayaka Thero, stated that three young devotees who had come to worship at the sacred site witnessed the incident and immediately intervened to rescue the woman.

Subsequently, based on a complaint made by the German national woman to the Mihintale Police, the suspect archaeology department employee was arrested. Furthermore, the victim was referred to the Judicial Medical Officer for a medical examination.

Pointing out that currently only four police officers are deployed for the security of the Mihintale sacred site, which is visited daily by a large number of local and foreign tourists as well as devotees, Dhammaratana Nayaka Thero expressed his deep regret regarding this insecure situation. Accordingly, His Reverence has also requested the Inspector General of Police to immediately take steps to strengthen security to ensure the safety of all who visit the sacred site.