68 on the first day for the 'political' march for Gnanasara Thero (video)

The 'Justice for the Robe' foot pilgrimage, which began yesterday (10) near the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, calling for the release of the Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, who is currently imprisoned, and protesting against the removal of his robe in prison, is currently facing severe ridicule and public criticism on social media. Although the organizers expected it to exert strong pressure on the government, the main reason for this is that only 68 people participated in the journey from Kandy to Kadugannawa yesterday.

According to the statements of Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero, this 'National Determination Offering and Freedom Foot Pilgrimage', which began with the aim of safeguarding the religious rights of the Maha Sangha, is scheduled to start its second day today (11) from Kadugannawa and proceed to Kegalle. Tomorrow (12), it is planned to travel from Kegalle to Warakapola, and then passing Nittambuwa and Kadawatha, reach Colombo on the 15th. However, some reports also point out that the legal issues concerning Gnanasara Thero and the demands of the protesters should be considered separately.

Citizens express strong opposition to this journey, which challenges the law and court decisions. Although the organizers tried to portray it as a 'massive' march, the majority of people commenting on social media have ridiculed it, stating that even a village funeral procession attracts more people. The public observes that the number of monks participating in the foot pilgrimage is a handful, around 17, 20, or 50, and also accuse them of walking only in front of cameras and traveling in luxurious vehicles at other times.

People question the behavior of some robed individuals who have forgotten their true social responsibility, expressing deep disappointment. A group that did not take to the streets when innocent people who offered them alms died in fuel queues, or when a 14-year-old girl was abused by the chief incumbent of an Atamasthana, now taking to the streets for a person convicted by the court and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment, has been met with strong public disgust. Social media users openly accuse this of being merely the implementation of political parties' agendas and a 'rogue' act using the sacred symbol of the 'robe' for their own purposes.

Here, people repeatedly recall how great monks such as Aggamaha Panditha Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thero, Professor Walpola Rahula Thero, and Henpitagedara Gnanaseeha Thero brought the philosophical foundation and humanistic essence of Buddhism closer to society. They emphasize that the longevity of the Buddha Sasana depends on discipline, and that those who behave without discipline should be expelled from the Sasana, and that the law should not be different for anyone.

Although the organizers expected this foot pilgrimage, scheduled to reach Colombo on October 15th, to exert political pressure on the government, it appears to have already been rejected even by the general Buddhist public. Sri Lankans, calling for a just society, unanimously state that instead of political dramas protecting offenders, the self-restraint and wisdom inherent in true Buddhist philosophy should be re-established within the Sri Lankan monastic community.

Watch the video related to this incident ›