Pradeep Dissanayake, 52, has been sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison for sexually abusing two children within a cult he formed in Melbourne. Dissanayake, a dermatologist, cunningly disguised his abuse under the guise of religion.
He presented himself as a god-like figure and exploited the trust of his followers to abuse the daughters of cult members. Dissanayake’s initial eight-year sentence was deemed inadequate by the Director of Public Prosecutions, leading to a successful appeal and the increased sentence.
Dissanayake established his cult by blending elements of Buddhism and Christianity to serve his own agenda. He imposed strict rules on his followers, including hourly praise, seeking permission for basic hygiene like showering, and enforced same-sex living arrangements to maintain “purity.”
The court heard that Dissanayake sexually abused at least two children over a period of time. He pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual penetration of a child, two counts of sexually assaulting a child under 16, and one count of grooming. While acknowledging responsibility for his indecent acts, Dissanayake attempted to justify his actions.
In an interview with a psychologist, Dissanayake expressed remorse, stating, “I don’t feel right being in the community anymore. I want to cleanse myself and repent.”
His licence to practice medicine was suspended when the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency was notified of the charges.
