The President’s Media Division has announced that prison regulations will be amended and approved within the next two weeks to allow Buddhist monks serving prison sentences to be taken outside prison premises while wearing their robes, subject to recommendations from their respective Nikaya or chapter.
The move follows concerns raised over the existing procedures for taking imprisoned Buddhist monks outside prison premises, particularly in connection with the case involving Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero. The Mahanayake Theros had written to the Commissioner General of Prisons regarding the procedures currently in place.
A special discussion was held on October 8 at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives of the three main Buddhist monastic traditions to address related religious and social concerns.
During the meeting, the President noted that the Prisons Ordinance of 1877 and its existing regulations do not contain specific provisions for Buddhist monks. He stated that prison officials had acted within the existing legal framework.
The President said he was not prepared to issue special orders for individuals that would override existing laws, stressing that the appropriate course of action was to amend the regulations to reflect present day requirements.
He also acknowledged the distress caused to Buddhist devotees and members of the Maha Sangha when a monk who had previously been revered was seen in different circumstances the following day. He emphasised that the necessary legal provisions should be introduced promptly to prevent similar situations involving Buddhist monks in the future.
Representatives of the Maha Sangha, including Anunayake Theros and monastic secretaries, highlighted the sensitivity of such situations for both the Buddhist clergy and society.
They proposed that when a Buddhist monk is sentenced by a court to more than three years in prison, the relevant Nikaya or chapter should be notified. Regulations could then be introduced to permit the monk to be taken outside prison premises in robes, based on the recommendations and views of the relevant monastic body.
The representatives also stated that such a procedure would help ensure transparency and prevent the relief from being misused.
Accepting the proposal, President Dissanayake instructed the Minister of Justice to prepare the necessary legal regulations urgently and complete the process within two weeks.
Meanwhile, a five member special committee was appointed on October 8 to review and update the regulations and standing orders under the Prisons Ordinance.
The committee is chaired by Prince Senadheera, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. Its other members are Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice; Wasantha Ariyarathna, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration; R.M.G. Senarathna, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs; and A.C. Gajanayake, Commissioner General of Prisons.
The committee held its first meeting on October 9 at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Senadheera. Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara provided the policy guidance required for its work.
The committee is expected to complete its review within two weeks and submit proposals for amending the relevant regulations and standing orders. Proposals concerning Buddhist monks are also expected to be presented to the Maha Sangha for their views by the middle of next week.
According to the President’s Media Division, the amendments are expected to be approved within the next two weeks, establishing a formal procedure for Buddhist monks who are imprisoned to be taken outside prison premises wearing their robes, subject to recommendations from their respective Nikaya or chapter.
