A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk is among 07 individuals arrested during a police operation at a hotel in Boston, United States, over allegations of soliciting prostitution, according to Boston Police.The monk has been identified as Rev. Mahayaye-Vineetha Thero, a 32-year-old Sri Lankan national residing in the US.The arrests were made during an operation conducted on Jun. 13 at the Revere Hotel in Boston’s Bay Village area as part of “Operation Red Card”, an initiative aimed at disrupting sex trafficking networks during the FIFA World Cup period.According to the Boston Police, the operation was designed to identify individuals who advertise women and children on commercial sex websites.Police stated that all 07 suspects, including the monk, have been charged with soliciting sex for a fee before the Central Boston Municipal Court.

The monk had served as a Buddhist chaplain at Tufts University and is reported to have resigned from the position following the incident.He was appointed as the university’s Buddhist chaplain in Dec. 2024 and had been involved in guiding the institution’s Buddhist meditation community, conducting meditation programs, and delivering Dhamma sermons. Born in Sri Lanka, he reportedly entered the Buddhist monastic order at the age of 10 and later obtained a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School in May 2022.

Reports further state that he spent 02 and a half years meditating in a forest cave following the completion of his studies. Court proceedings are expected to continue, and the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.