Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera will be taken to court in his monastic robes on October 23 following amendments to the relevant Standing Orders, a Department of Buddhist Affairs spokesperson said.
The Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs had informed the Maha Nayaka Thera of the Nikaya to which Gnanasara Thera belongs of the arrangements and sought guidance on the appropriate procedure, the spokesperson said.
The Department had also requested the monastic leadership’s approval and consent following the amendments.
Meanwhile, Ven. Dr. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera, Deputy Nayaka Thera of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, criticised calls to remove Gnanasara Thera’s robes.
Addressing a press conference, Rahula Thera said such calls could harm the Buddhist Sasana and its long-standing role in the country. He also commented on the President’s response, the responsibilities of Buddhist monks and the need to protect the Sasana.
