Ex-Anuradhapura chief monk provides blood sample for DNA analysis
COLOMBO – Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, the former Chief Custodian and Head Prelate of the eight sacred Buddhist sites (Atamasthana) in Anuradhapura, on Tuesday (16), provided a blood sample to the Department of the Government Analyst as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations involving the abuse of a minor girl.
The sample was obtained after the monk was produced before the Government Analyst by officers attached to the Nittambuwa Police, acting on an order issued by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The court directive required the monk to submit a blood sample on June 16 to facilitate DNA analysis and instructed the Government Analyst to submit a report to the court upon completion of the examination.
The order followed a further report filed by Nittambuwa Police, who informed the court that several items of clothing believed to be connected to the investigation had previously been sent to the Government Analyst for forensic examination under an earlier court order.
According to police submissions, the clothing, which investigators alleged had been buried and concealed, was recovered during the course of the investigation and forwarded for analysis on May 4.
Police told the court that forensic examinations conducted on the garments had identified biological material containing DNA alleles, prompting investigators to seek a judicial order requiring the suspect to provide a blood sample for comparison purposes.
The DNA analysis is expected to determine whether the sample provided by the monk matches biological evidence recovered from the clothing. The findings will be submitted to the court as part of the ongoing investigation.
After considering the police request, the Chief Magistrate authorized the collection of the sample and directed the Government Analyst to furnish a final report once the forensic examination is completed.
Ven. Hemarathana Thera, 71, was previously remanded in custody in connection with the case but was later released on bail subject to court-imposed conditions.
The investigation has attracted significant public attention due to the senior religious status of the suspect and the nature of the allegations. Ven. Hemarathana Thera, who served as the chief custodian of the sacred Atamasthana Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura, one of the most prominent religious positions in the country, was stripped of his responsibilities by the Council of Monks of the Malwatte Chapter in late May.
-ENCL
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