MELBOURNE, Australia – A senior Sri Lankan Buddhist monk has been found guilty in Australia of sexually abusing six young girls over a period of nearly a decade.
Naotunne Vijitha Thero, the 70-year-old head monk of the Dhamma Sarana temple in Keysborough, was convicted by a County Court jury on October 30, 2025.
Guilty on Multiple Counts
The charges relate to historical child sex offences committed between 1994 and 2002. The jury found the monk guilty of a total of 17 charges, including:
- Eight counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16.
- Nine counts of committing an indecent act with a child under 16.
He was acquitted of one charge, while the jury is still deliberating on another.
Abuse of Authority
The six victims, who are now adults, testified that the monk used his spiritual authority to lure them into his private quarters at the Keysborough and Springvale temple premises. He often used sweets to gain their trust.
Vijitha, who appeared in traditional orange robes, reportedly showed little emotion as the guilty verdicts were delivered.
Sentencing Expected Soon
The monk now faces a potentially long prison term, possibly exceeding a decade. Sentencing is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
This verdict has shocked the broader Buddhist community and the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia. It places the Dhamma Sarana temple under scrutiny and underscores the critical need to safeguard vulnerable people within all religious institutions.
