Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesman Senaka Pallethenna said differing views on prisoners’ uniforms had been circulating on social media.
In a statement issued on 6 October, he said prison rules and regulations permitted Buddhist monks sentenced by a court to simple imprisonment to wear their robes while serving their sentences.
However, anyone sentenced to rigorous imprisonment was required to wear a prison uniform while in prison, he said.
Pallethenna said a prison superintendent could allow a convicted prisoner serving a sentence of less than three years to appear in court in the civilian clothing worn before sentencing. In such circumstances, a Buddhist monk could also be permitted to appear in court in robes.
However, anyone serving a sentence exceeding three years had to wear prison-issued clothing when produced before a court, he added.
Pallethenna further said more than 63 religious figures were currently serving prison sentences across the country and wore prison uniforms while in custody.
