The Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, has called for the release of imprisoned Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.

He raised the matter during a meeting with senior prison officials, including Commissioner of Prisons (Operations and Media) Senaka Palletenna, at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya on 16 October. The Commissioner stated that no final decision had been made on Gnanasara Thero’s release.

Meanwhile, the Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero, called for a separate prison facility for Buddhist monks, where they could practise their religion without hindrance.