A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk serving as a university chaplain in the United States has been arrested as part of a police operation targeting individuals allegedly seeking to pay for sexual services.
Ven. Mahayaye Vineetha Thera, 32, who had been serving as the Buddhist Chaplain at Tufts University in Massachusetts since December 2024, was among seven men arrested by the Boston Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit on Saturday.
According to U.S. media reports, the arrests were made during an undercover operation known as “Operation Red Card”, which was launched to combat human trafficking and the commercial sex trade ahead of FIFA World Cup matches scheduled to be held in the Boston area.
Police alleged that Ven. Mahayaye Vineetha Thera responded to an advertisement posted online by undercover officers posing as individuals offering sexual services. Authorities claimed that the suspects requested various sexual acts and offered payments ranging from US$125 to US$400.
The suspects were arrested at the Moxy Boston Downtown Hotel, with police stating that several individuals were carrying the exact amount of cash they had allegedly agreed to pay.
Ven. Mahayaye Vineetha Thera has been charged with the misdemeanour offence of paying for sexual services. He pleaded not guilty when produced before court and is scheduled to appear again on September 2.
Following the arrest, the monk resigned from his position at Tufts University with immediate effect.
In a statement, Tufts University confirmed that it had been informed of his resignation on Monday. University Chaplain Rev. Elyse Nelson Winger also informed members of the Buddhist Chaplaincy that a search for a new chaplain would commence during the summer, while existing Buddhist chaplaincy programmes would continue without interruption.
As of Tuesday, the university’s website no longer listed Ven. Mahayaye Vineetha Thera as the institution’s Buddhist chaplain.
His attorney had not publicly commented on the allegations at the time of reporting. (The Tufts Daily)
