Sajeevani Abeykoon faces praise and attacks after fighting in court for a minor girl in the Pallegama Hemarathana Thero case.
Sajeevani Abeykoon has become the focus of public attention after standing in court for a minor girl in a deeply sensitive abuse case.
Have you ever seen a lone woman fearlessly rise before a powerful wall of wealth, influence, and religious authority inside a court of law?
That rare moment was witnessed when the case involving allegations of abuse against Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thero of Anuradhapura was taken up in court.
On that occasion, Lawyer Sajeevani Abeykoon, Director of Legal Enforcement at the National Child Protection Authority, faced a powerful defence team of around 20 lawyers, including President’s Counsels.
She also had to make submissions amid the visible influence of members of the Maha Sangha gathered around the court premises.
Despite fierce opposition, she presented special facts on behalf of the victim girl.
She also submitted a well-documented 18-page report containing evidence related to the case.
However, the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate ultimately ordered the suspect monk to be released on two surety bails of Rs.500,000 each and a cash bail of Rs.100,000.
The true victim in this tragedy is a 12-year-old girl from a helpless family living under severe economic hardship.
Medical examinations have reportedly confirmed that she had been subjected to prolonged abuse.
According to the case material, the girl had identified key locations and items connected to the alleged incident.
Today, she and her family are forced to seek justice in an atmosphere filled with pressure, influence, and fear.
This is not merely an isolated allegation of abuse.
It is also a mirror reflecting the deeper weaknesses of law enforcement institutions in the country.
Citing international child rights conventions, Lawyer Sajeevani Abeykoon reportedly pointed out to court that police had delayed arresting the suspect despite evidence and phone analysis reports linked to 84 calls.
The fact that the Child Protection Authority had to push the police to act raises serious questions about whether law enforcement bends before religious and political power.
The failure to receive proper answers even after inquiries were made from the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province further exposes the weakness of the system.
What happened after court was equally disturbing.
Even before she could recover from the pressure of the hearing, Sajeevani Abeykoon reportedly became the target of mudslinging and cyber-attacks.
Attacks on her personal and professional life, including those linked to individuals such as Keerthi Rathnayake, show how forces opposed to accountability react when confronted by legal courage.
In a system where power, wealth, and religious status can be used to shield the accused, one serious question now stands before society.
Why are the relevant institutions and the government not acting swiftly to protect honest officers who stand alone for victims?
The country must not forget this.
If courageous officers like Sajeevani Abeykoon are pushed into silence or forced out of the system, the next helpless victim sacrificed by society could be someone else’s child.
