Buddhist Monk Faces Child Sexual Abuse Trial After Decades Leading Melbourne Temple
- Staff Writer
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
A highly respected Buddhist monk who has spent more than three decades guiding Victoria’s Sri Lankan community is now at the centre of a major criminal trial.
Naotunne Vijitha, 70, is accused of sexually abusing six children over a nearly three-decade period while serving as head of the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple in Melbourne’s south-east.
Reverend Vijitha faces a total of 19 charges, including nine counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16 and ten counts of indecent acts against children, allegedly committed between the mid-1990s and early 2000s at the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple in Springvale and later Keysborough.
Who Is Buddhist Monk Naotunne Vijitha?
Reverend Vijitha arrived in Australia from Sri Lanka in 1993. Vijitha quickly developed a reputation for charismatic leadership and deep commitment to Buddhist education. The monk founded popular Sunday school programs attended by hundreds of children and adults.
Vijitha, who is currently out on bail, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer denied the allegations and questioned the reliability of the witnesses about incidents that happened 25 to 30 years ago.
What Are the Allegations Against The Monk?
According to prosecutors, the alleged offences took place in a variety of settings — from the monk’s living quarters and prayer rooms to Sunday school gatherings that he led for children of families.
The youngest victim was just four years old when the alleged abuse began, with other children reporting incidents spanning ages nine to 12.
Court documents allege repeated abuse by Vijitha — sometimes after religious ceremonies, other times during temple visits with their families. Specific claims include one victim being assaulted multiple times and another being given religious books before being subjected to inappropriate touching.
Testimonies describe how some children were called to Vijitha’s room, held against their will, and asked to keep the incidents secret.
Some of the victims claimed that they were digitally penetrated by the monk, while others said he touched them inappropriately or forced them to put their hand on his penis.
The victims did not report the alleged abuse until years later: one first disclosed details to a school counsellor in 2005 but only pursued police action in 2022, while another contacted Crime Stoppers in 2021.
What happens now?
Reverend Vijitha is currently facing trial in the case.
Prosecutors allege the monk’s longstanding role gave him access to vulnerable children and opportunities to commit the alleged offences. If convicted of the charges, the Buddhist monk faces life imprisonment.
The trial continues, with prosecutors and the defence presenting evidence and statements from alleged victims and supporting witnesses.
Support services for survivors of sexual assault are available by calling 1800 RESPECT or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service at 1800 211 028
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