Monk arrested over alleged sexual assault of French tourist in Tangalle tem
A Buddhist monk attached to a temple in the Kadurupokuna area of Tangalle has been arrested and released on bail after a French woman visiting Sri Lanka alleged that he had attempted to sexually assault her during a visit to the temple.
The Police Media Division has confirmed to BBC Sinhala that a complaint had been received at the Tangalle Police Station. The complaint was lodged by the woman and her partner, a German national.
According to the Police Media Division, the incident occurred on 2 October 2026, when the woman visited the temple to sightsee. The police said the monk had sexually harassed her on that occasion, after which she lodged a complaint with the Tangalle Children and Women’s Bureau.
The monk was arrested on the same day and produced in court, where he was released on bail, the police said. He was again produced before the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court on 7 October 2026 and released on bail.
The case is scheduled to be called again before the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court on 2 February 2027.
