The Venerable Naotunne Vijitha Nayaka Thero, who is the abbot of the Dhamma Sarana temple in Melbourne's south-east, is facing 13 charges including sexual penetration of a child under 16 and indecent act with a child under 16.
The incidents allegedly took place between 1996 and 2004, and police allege Mr Vijitha came into contact with the complainants through his role at the Keysborough temple.
Court documents reveal detectives from Victoria Police's sexual crimes squad charged Mr Vijitha with inappropriately touching several girls.The Venerable Naotunne Vijitha Nayaka Thero is a faith leader at a temple in Keysborough. The monk was released on bail, and the case was adjourned until November 10 for a committal mention.
According to the temple's website, Mr Vijitha arrived in Australia in 1993 to serve as the resident monk at the Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in Springvale.According to the temple's website, Mr Vijitha is also the principal of its Sunday School, where students attend Sinhala language classes.
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