Melbourne Court Sentences Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk to 13 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Six Girls

A Melbourne court has sentenced 71-year-old Ven. Naotunne Vijitha Thero to 13 years and two months in prison after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting six girls at a Buddhist temple in Melbourne.

Vijitha Thero served as the chief monk of the Dhamma Sarana temple in southeastern Melbourne and held a prominent position within the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in Australia.

Following the completion of his prison sentence, he is expected to face deportation from Australia.

During court proceedings, Vijitha Thero expressed his wish to return to Sweden after serving his sentence.