The court will decide whether to disrobe the 22 monks.

The Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha has decided to revoke the monastic status of the twenty-two monks arrested with Kush and Hash drugs at Katunayake International Airport and to disrobe them. A senior government spokesperson revealed that the Tri-Nikaya is working to inform the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs regarding this step.

The Maha Sangha expressed its stance on this matter during a special discussion held with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on the 28th of last month.

The Chief Prelates pointed out that re-entry into monastic life for the relevant monks can only be considered if they are proven innocent in the ongoing court trial. With the approval of the Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha, the disrobing process is scheduled to take place on a future date. The Maha Sangha emphasized to the President that in the face of various trends in current society, ensuring the dignity and protection of the monastic community cannot be done solely by the monks themselves, and that government support is essential for it.

The Maha Sangha requested the government to consider the official statement issued by the Tri-Nikaya Chief Prelates regarding this incident as the common voice of the entire monastic community and act upon it accordingly. The President, commenting on this, stated that the drug menace has now become a national disaster, and its seriousness is clearly confirmed through this incident. He also assured that the government would provide its full cooperation to implement the decisions taken by the Sangha to protect the Sasana (Buddhist order) discipline.

For this crucial discussion, the Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha, including Anunayake Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero of the Malwathu Chapter, Anunayake Narammanawa Ananda Thero of the Asgiri Chapter, and Dr. Pahamuṇe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of Somawathie Rajamaha Viharaya, were present. Furthermore, Venerable Mahawela Sri Rathanapala, Welagedara Sri Sumanajothi, Dr. Medagama Sri Dhammananda, Dr. Muruddeniya Sri Dhammarathana, Atthangane Rathanapala, Atthangane Sasanarathana, and Suhadagama Anuruddha Theros also participated in this event. Including the Maha Lekhakadhikari (Chief Secretary) of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Balapitiye Sirisivali, and Deputy Lekhakadhikari Ahangama Maithree Murthi Theros, the Maha Sangha further explained the necessity of suppressing the drug menace in the country.