• Gnanasara Thera’s derobing petitions fixed for 22 October

The ‘Justice for the Robe, National Pledge Offering and Freedom March’, organised under the leadership of the Buddhist clergy calling for the release of Bodu Bala Sena organisation’s General Secretary, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, reached the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo yesterday (15), where representatives of the clergy met the Presidential Secretary to discuss the matter.

Presidential Secretary Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake held discussions with the monks, who requested that an alleged technical flaw in the Presidential pardon previously granted to Gnanasara by former President Maithripala Sirisena be rectified.

The monks also sought a timeline for the process, stating that they were aware that the Presidential Secretary had already discussed the matter with the President. However, Dr Kumanayake said a definitive answer could not be given at this stage.

The foot march commenced on 10 October at the premises of the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and proceeded through Kadugannawa, Kegalle, Warakapola and Nittambuwa before concluding in Kadawatha on Wednesday (14). The march resumed from Kadawatha yesterday morning and proceeded to Colombo.

The Nidahase Pada Yathra (Freedom March) was initiated under the leadership of the Buddhist clergy to demand Gnanasara’s release and advocate for the religious rights of Buddhist monks. Heavy Police security was deployed around the Presidential Secretariat and nearby roads as the march reached the area.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has fixed 22 October for consideration of petitions challenging the decision by prison authorities to remove Gnanasara’s monastic robes while he is serving a prison sentence.

The petitions were taken up yesterday before a bench comprising Justices R Amal Ranaraja, Mahen C L B Gopallawa and K Priyantha Fernando. They were filed by a group of Buddhist monks, including Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thera.