Sri Lanka suspends top monk Hemarathana over child sex abuse allegations, coinciding with Vesak celebrations marking Buddha's key milestones.

Recently, the chief prelate or custodian of eight sacred sites in Sri Lanka was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting and raping a child. He is out on bail.

Police arrested the 71-year-old on May 9 over allegations that he had sexually abused an 11-year-old girl in 2022.