COLOMBO, June 3 -- The government has insisted that Buddhist monks accused of child abuse will be treated no differently from any other citizen under the law, amid growing public scrutiny over investigations and prosecutions involving members of the clergy.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalin Jayatissa said police investigations and legal proceedings relating to child abuse allegations against Buddhist monks are being conducted impartially and in accordance with the law.

"Everyone is equal before the law and the courts. The law will not be applied more strictly or more leniently because someone is a Buddhist monk, a religious leader, or belongs to any religious group," Jayatissa told reporters at the weekly Cabinet media briefing on Tu...