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Pahalagama Somarathana Sentencing Remarks: Penetration Of The Vagina Of A 9-Year-Old In The Presence Of The Buddha

By Colombo Telegraph - 
Pahalagama Somaratana with President Rajapaksa 

“The fourth and final occasion moved from your room to the shrine room.  You were dressed in your robes, you pushed her against a wall, you pulled her knickers down, you inserted your fingers into her vagina.  She felt excruciating pain.  You said if she told anybody, not only would her mother be very angry, but her father would die.  This crime, the fourth and final occasion, has been difficult for many to comprehend, the digital penetration of the vagina of a 9-year-old in the shrine room, in the presence of the Buddha.  A betrayal of your religion, betrayal of the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in this country, but above all, a betrayal of the breach of the trust placed in your by xxxxx xxxxxxxxx and others on her behalf, not least her parents, who were strong supporters of you at the time.” said Judge Matthews. 

Delivering the Sentencing Remarks of the Pahalagama Somarathana child abuse case he further said ”You pleaded not guilty.  Your mitigation is inevitably limited.  The conduct of your defence involved pointing the finger of blame at your fellow monks.  I make it clear that’s not an aggravating feature but it does nothing to assist your mitigation.  There has been, even now, a total absence of remorse, you preferring, if the author of the pre-sentence report is correct, to allow, if not encourage, your public to believe that this is all a terrible mistake.”

Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Great Britain and chief incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara, Parivenadhipathi of the Vidyaravinda Pirivena, Pahalagama, Gampaha and Chief Lekakhadhikari of the Sri Kalyani Samagi Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Pahalagama Somarathana has been convicted of four counts of indecent assault on a underage, sentenced to 7 years in prison Judge Matthews ruled on June 1, 2012.

“When you said to XXXXX XXXXXXX that she mustn’t tell anyone because her father would die, she believed you, such was your power.  And she says in her victim impact statement that she felt as if everything in her life had changed.  She loved school, where she was already an outstanding pupil, but she was forced to spend substantial periods away.  Her parents who, I repeat, were great supporters of you, had no idea what had gone on.  Her (inaudible) doctors (inaudible) brought in a consultant paediatrician to see her.  Fortunately for her and indeed for you, that particular crisis period passed.  But as she got older and matured, she says – I’ve no reason to disbelieve her – that it affected her relationships with those closest to her, in particular her previous partner and her husband.  And if truth be known, the full extent of the impact of your behaviour on her will never be known.” the Judge further said.

Since almost all Sri Lankan media have been censored from covering this case of child sex abuse, Colombo Telegraph has been covering this child abuse case form the beginning. This is clearly a public interest issue. Firstly, this story is about the welfare of children; child abuse victims are usually not willing to come forward, but they did. Secondly, this case is based on historical allegations. It is worthwhile for the public to know how Courts deal with historical allegations. Thirdly, Somaratana was a religious leader, who breached the trust of his followers. Finally, this same monk Somaratana is running orphanages in Sri Lanka. There was a demand from Colombo Telegraph readers to publish the Sentencing Remarks made by the trial Judge namely His Honour Judge Matthews and we paid the relevant fees to the Official Court Reporters to the Crown Court and only today we managed to obtain the full transcript from the transcript writers.  We below produce the sentencing remarks made by the judge in full. Please be aware that the victim’s name is deleted by Colombo Telegraph. Official Court Reporters to the Crown Court says this transcript has been prepared without the assistance of case documents and therefore, all spellings are phonetic.

IN THE CROWN COURT-AT ISLEWORTH-Read More

Posted by Thavam