A senior Sri Lankan Buddhist monk has been found guilty of multiple historical sex offences against six girls at a Melbourne temple, according to Australian media reports.
A County Court jury on Thursday found Naotunne Vijitha Thero, the head monk of the Dhamma Sarana Temple in Keysborough, guilty of eight counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16 and nine counts of committing an indecent act with a child under 16.
The 70-year-old monk was acquitted of one charge, while the jury continues to deliberate on another charge of an indecent act with a child.
The offences occurred between 1994 and 2002 at the temple’s former premises in Springvale and its current location in Keysborough.
During the verdict, Vijitha—dressed in saffron robes—rested his head in his hands and showed no visible reaction. Several temple members, who had attended daily in support of him, reportedly wept after the jury exited the courtroom.
Under Victorian law, the convicted monk faces a potential prison term of more than a decade.
Victims Allege He Used Sweets to Lure Them
Six women, now in their 30s, testified during the trial that Vijitha exploited his position as a religious leader to sexually abuse young girls, luring them into his living quarters with sweets.
Prosecutors told the court that some victims were digitally penetrated, while others were subjected to indecent touching or made to touch the monk inappropriately.
The alleged abuse came to light decades later, after several survivors independently reported their experiences to police. Vijitha was formally charged in 2023.
Defence Denies Allegations
Vijitha’s defence counsel, Nicholas Papas KC, maintained his client’s innocence, arguing that the monk did not recall many of the complainants and denied all allegations.
“He can’t remember the events because, in his mind, they didn’t happen,” Mr. Papas told the court, questioning the reliability and physical plausibility of some accusations.
The court will next hear sentencing submissions from both prosecution and defence once the jury delivers its final verdict.
