President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya has recused himself from the bench hearing petitions challenging the decision by prison officials to remove the monastic robe of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero following his imprisonment.

Following his recusal on 14 October, Justice Abeysooriya appointed a new three-member bench to hear the petitions.

The new bench comprises Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando.