The abbot raped children in the temple for eight years

In Australia, a former rector of a temple who raped girls for eight years was sentenced to 13 years in prison. The Sydney Morning Herald writes about this.

Naotunne Vijitha, 71, was born in Sri Lanka, became a monk at age 15, then moved to Sweden and became a citizen. In 1994, he moved to Melbourne, Australia, where he was appointed abbot of the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple, which was the spiritual and cultural center of the Sri Lankan community.

In 2022, six women said they were sexually assaulted by Vijitha between 1994 and 2002. According to the victims, who were between 4 and 12 years old at the time of the crimes, the abbot lured them into the inner chambers of the temple with sweets and toys, and then committed lewd acts with them. At this time, the girls' parents helped the monks in the temple. In 2002, the temple moved to another area of ​​Melbourne. It is unknown whether the abbot had other victims.

Vijitha was sentenced on October 8. He refused to admit guilt. The trial was attended by many of the abbot's followers, to whom he smiled and waved. Victims said these people refuse to listen to the facts. One of the plaintiffs said that Vijita not only ruined her childhood, but also turned her away from the faith forever. According to the court decision, the former rector will be able to apply for parole in nine years and four months.