A summons from the President to the Mahanayaka Theros who rejected sarongs instead of robes.

The Government Information Department announces that a special discussion is scheduled to be held today (08) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Maha Sangha, represented by the Mahanayake Theros of the Three Nikayas, to clarify the extremely sensitive issue that has arisen between prison rules and monastic traditions.

This crucial meeting will be held today at 1:00 PM at the Presidential Secretariat.

The background for this urgent discussion between state administration and monastic authority is created by a recent incident involving Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, who is currently imprisoned based on a court decision. The Mahanayake Theros of the Three Nikayas have paid special attention to the action of presenting him to court in lay attire.

In this regard, the Mahanayake Theros also made a special written notification to the Commissioner General of Prisons yesterday (07). The discussion with the President this afternoon has also been convened in relation to that letter sent to the prison authorities.

In the letter sent to the Commissioner General of Prisons, the Mahanayake Theros of the Three Nikayas clearly pointed out that actions such as removing a monk's robes or revoking his ordination are a unique process. They strongly emphasized that it is not merely a matter limited to a state administrative process or a prison regulation, but rather a monastic duty entirely belonging to the Maha Sangha.

Previously, a similar discussion was held with the President last April regarding the incident where a group of monks was arrested with drugs at Katunayake Airport and the situation that arose from it.

Although the Mahanayake Theros also wrote letters regarding the 22nd Constitutional Amendment related to increasing the retirement age of judicial judges due to the interest shown by opposition parties when it was at the proposed stage, the government has passed the 22nd Amendment and is now implementing it.