Geeth Roman Formally Requests UN Observation Into Sri Lanka Monk Abuse Controversy
- Jatinder Singh
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
Jatinder Singh, Jadetimes Contributor
J. Singh is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA
International concern is continuing to grow after Sri Lankan PhD Scholar and media executive Geeth Roman formally submitted a human rights concern letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), requesting international observation and independent attention regarding the controversial child abuse investigation involving senior Buddhist monk Pallegama Hemarathana Thero.
The formal submission, addressed directly to United Nations High Commissioner Volker Türk, raises serious concerns surrounding child protection, judicial transparency, institutional accountability, and equal application of the law within Sri Lanka’s legal system. The letter also questions growing public doubts regarding how bail was granted to the monk despite publicly reported evidence, court-related disclosures, and direct statements reportedly provided by the child victim during the investigation.
According to the submission, the monk was arrested on 10 May 2026 following allegations involving rape and grave sexual abuse of a minor. Public legal statements presented in court by Attorney Sajeewani Abeykoon, Director (Law Enforcement) at Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), reportedly revealed that the child victim provided direct statements identifying the monk, while investigators allegedly recovered buried clothing and blood-stained undergarments connected to the case. Communication records reportedly showed approximately 84 contacts between the accused monk and the child.
The matter generated even greater controversy after more than 40 lawyers reportedly appeared in support of the monk during legal proceedings, including President’s Counsel Kalinga Nandaka Indatissa, former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. Despite the seriousness of allegations involving a minor child, the monk was later granted bail after approximately twelve days in custody.
The central question now being publicly raised by many Sri Lankans is straightforward yet deeply controversial: if evidence, victim statements, communication records, and physical findings were reportedly presented during the investigation, how was bail ultimately granted in such a serious child abuse case while many other rape suspects across Sri Lanka historically remain in extended remand custody without bail?
Roman’s submission highlights that several past rape and child abuse cases in Sri Lanka, including the internationally known Seya Sadewmi and S. Vithiya cases, involved prolonged remand detention, intensive criminal investigations, and strict custodial procedures due to the seriousness of allegations and the importance of protecting victims and preserving public confidence in the justice system.
The letter argues that the present controversy is no longer viewed by the public as an isolated criminal matter, but rather as a broader human rights concern involving child protection, equal justice, institutional influence, and public trust in constitutional accountability. Roman further emphasized that when legal systems appear to provide exceptional treatment to highly influential individuals, it can severely damage public confidence and discourage vulnerable victims from reporting abuse in the future.
Among his recent publications are “Democracy by Design: Media, Politics, and People” and “Trapped Online: The Dark Side of the Screen,” both focusing on communication systems, youth psychology, social justice, and the long-term emotional impact of institutional and digital environments on adolescents.
In his submission to the United Nations, Roman stated that his involvement in this matter is rooted not only in media ethics and democratic accountability, but also in his academic concern regarding the psychological impact such cases can have on children and adolescents worldwide. He warned that if vulnerable children begin losing trust in legal systems and child protection mechanisms, future generations may become increasingly fearful of reporting abuse, exploitation, or institutional violence.
The submission ultimately requests the United Nations and international human rights organizations to independently observe the transparency of the investigation, assess equal application of the law, and monitor whether child safeguarding protections and constitutional principles are being upheld equally regardless of religious influence or political visibility.
Roman stated that the request is not intended to interfere with Sri Lanka’s judicial independence, but rather to encourage transparency, equal protection under the law, institutional accountability, and protection of vulnerable children under internationally recognized human rights principles.
The formal submission included multiple annexures containing international media references, legal reporting, books, academic publications, and research findings relating to child protection, adolescents’ rights, mental health, and institutional accountability.
Read Full Letter : Click Here
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