India, May 9 -- Sri Lankan authorities have arrested a senior Buddhist monk for allegedly sexually abusing a minor girl, according to media reports.

According to The Daily Mirror, Pallegama Hemarathana was arrested while receiving treatment at the emergency unit of a private hospital in Colombo. His arrest came after a Sri Lankan court issued warrants against him.

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasidu Wickramaratne has also imposed a strict foreign travel ban on the religious leader, with immigration authorities instructed to prevent any attempt to leave the country, the newspaper reported.

The case stems from a complaint lodged with the Nittambuwa Police on March 6, 2026, initially relating to the abduction and unlawful detent...