PAHALAGAMA SOMARATANA'S SHOCKING SEX ABUSE SCANDAL IN CHISWICK AND SELSDON

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Buddhist community and the wider public, Pahalagama Somaratan, the chief monk at the Thames Buddhist Vihara located on Dulverton Road in Selsdon, was convicted of heinous sexual offenses committed decades ago. The court proceedings revealed that in April, Somaratan was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault against a young girl, aged just nine at the time, during the years 1977 and 1978.

According to court testimonies, the abuse took place in two separate locations. The first incident involved Somaratan luring the young girl into his private quarters in Chiswick, West London, by offering her fruit polo sweets as a lure. Once inside, he assaulted her in his bedroom. The court also heard that he committed further acts of abuse in the shrine room of the temple, where images of Buddha were present, adding a layer of betrayal to the sacred space.

During the trial, it was revealed that the monk had warned the girl that if she disclosed what had happened, her mother would become angry and her father would die. This manipulation was intended to silence her and prevent her from speaking out about the abuse. The emotional and psychological scars inflicted by Somaratan's actions were profound, with the victim later describing how the trauma made her feel as if her life was shattered. She recounted that her love for school was diminished, and she was forced to spend extended periods away from her education due to the emotional distress. Her parents, who had been supportive of the monk and believed in his good character, remained unaware of the abuse at the time.

As she grew older, the victim chose not to disclose her ordeal to anyone, but the effects persisted into her adult life, impacting her relationships and her marriage. The court heard how doctors were called in during her childhood to investigate her strange behavior and emotional difficulties, but the truth remained hidden until the case was brought to light.

On Friday, June 1, at Isleworth Crown Court, Judge Philip Matthews delivered the sentence. A crowd of supporters, approximately a dozen, gathered in the courtroom to witness the verdict. The judge sentenced Somaratan to seven years in prison and ordered that he be registered as a sex offender for life. Additionally, the court mandated that he must never work with children again, emphasizing the severity of his crimes.

Judge Matthews acknowledged the positive reputation Somaratan had in the past, citing numerous tributes from individuals in high positions praising his character and his charitable work in Sri Lanka. However, he pointed out that the crimes occurred when Somaratan was in his 30s, indicating that he was not naive or immature at the time and was fully aware of his actions. The judge criticized the monk for showing no remorse and for attempting to deny responsibility, even blaming fellow monks for the misconduct.

The judge condemned the betrayal of trust, noting that Somaratan's actions represented a profound violation of his religious duties, the Buddhist community in the UK, and the trust placed in him by the girl’s parents, who had been strong supporters of his spiritual leadership. The full extent of the damage caused by his abuse can never be fully understood, but the court's decision aims to serve justice and protect others from similar harm in the future.