• Kotte Sangha Sabha wants Thera back in robes 

The removal of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera’s Buddhist monk robes and dressing him in civilian clothing were carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Prisons Ordinance, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday (6).

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Jayatissa said the Prisons Department had followed the relevant provisions of the Ordinance and that no special procedure had been followed in Gnanasara Thera’s case.

He said 63 Buddhist monks were currently serving prison sentences for various offences and that the same procedure had been applied to all of them.

“There is a prescribed procedure for taking such action under the Ordinance. No special exception was made in this instance,” Jayatissa said, adding that the Department had acted in accordance with the Prison Law and the provisions of the Ordinance.

The issue attracted public attention after Gnanasara Thera was produced before Court yesterday wearing civilian clothing.

Meanwhile, the Kotte Sangha Sabha has requested the Prisons Commissioner General (CG) not to remove the Thera’s robes, following his conviction for contempt of court and sentencing to serve the remainder of his prison term.

In a letter to the Prisons CG, the Sangha Sabha said there was no information before it indicating that Gnanasara Thera had committed an offence or a serious violation (‘parajika’) under the Vinaya Pitaka that would warrant the removal of his robes.

It said disciplinary inquiries conducted according to the traditions and principles of the Buddhist Sasana, including determining whether a monk should be deprived of his monkhood, fell within the responsibility of the relevant Sangha Sabha.

Chief Secretary of the Kotte Sangha Sabha Ven. Dr. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera requested that the Prisons Department allow Gnanasara Thera to retain his robes and appear before relevant authorities wearing them.

The Sangha Sabha said it recognised the supremacy of the Judiciary and did not express an opinion on the court judgment against the Thera. However, it maintained that the authority to robe or disrobe a monk rested with the monk concerned and the Maha Sangha Sabha to which he belonged.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Prisons Commissioner and Department Spokesperson Senaka Pallethenna said he was not aware of the letter.

“I’m not aware of this letter yet. I will have to check it before commenting,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that the case against Gnanasara Thera over an alleged insult to Islam be recalled on 23 October.

The case was taken up before High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala, with the Thera being produced before Court in prison attire by prison officials following his arrest on a warrant.