Palleagama Hemarathana Thero released on bail with strict conditions

The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate's Court has ordered the release on bail of Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Atamasthana in Anuradhapura, who was remanded in connection with the charge of severely sexually abusing a minor girl. This order was announced after the Thero, who was receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, was produced before the court today (22).

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramarathne ordered a cash bail of one hundred thousand rupees and two personal bails of five million rupees each for the suspect Hemarathana Thero. The court made a special announcement, stating that if the imposed bail conditions are violated or if any influence is exerted on witnesses, the bail order will be immediately revoked.

It is reported that a travel ban has also been imposed on the Chief Incumbent of Atamasthana in connection with this incident. Previously, on the 15th, the Chief Magistrate had ordered the Superintendent of the Colombo Remand Prison to produce the suspect Thero, who was receiving hospital treatment, before the court today, and accordingly, the Thero was brought before the court.