A peaceful protest is scheduled to take place at the Colombo Courts premises at 9 a.m. today opposing the Prisons Department’s decision to remove the robes of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera when he was produced before court.
Addressing the matter, Prison Commissioner and Media Spokesman Senaka Pallethenna clarified that existing prison regulations require inmates sentenced to rigorous imprisonment to wear standard prison-issued clothing. Pallethenna stated that the department is adhering strictly to the established rules governing monks in prison, including the regulations that dictate the attire prisoners must wear when appearing before judicial authorities.
Key Developments
- Demonstrators are organizing a peaceful protest at 9 a.m. at the Colombo Courts premises.
- The demonstration challenges the Prisons Department’s enforcement of attire regulations requiring Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera to remove his robes for court proceedings.
- Prison Commissioner and Media Spokesman Senaka Pallethenna noted that inmates serving rigorous imprisonment are mandated to wear prison-issued clothing under departmental rules.
- The controversy arises amid the enforcement of the remaining period of Gnanasara Thera’s six-year prison sentence for contempt of court.
The dispute unfolds as authorities enforce the remaining term of Gnanasara Thera’s six-year rigorous imprisonment sentence, which was imposed for contempt of court.