ඥානසාර හිමි සුදු ඇඳං ඉන්නවා දැකලා අපි පුදුම වුණෙමු - මහානායක හිමිවරු

The Mahanayake Theros of all four main Buddhist chapters have expressed their deep concern regarding the incident where Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, who is imprisoned based on a court decision, was presented before the court dressed in lay attire.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner General of Prisons, they point out that they are surprised and concerned about the decision to remove Ven. Gnanasara Thero's robes.

The letter states that they have full respect for the Constitution and the judicial process. However, the Mahanayake Theros have emphasized that removing the robes of a monk or nullifying his monkhood is not a matter that can be solely decided by prison authorities, but rather a religious matter that should be decided by the Maha Sangha.

It further states that the relevant Sangha Council has not yet made any decision that Venerable Gnanasara Thero has committed a Parajika offense or should be expelled from the Buddha Sasana.

To substantiate their request, the Mahanayake Theros have also cited Regulation 550 of the Prison Standing Orders. According to this regulation, convicted prisoners should not be brought to court in prison uniform, and they should be allowed to use the clothes they normally wore before receiving their sentence. In the case of a Buddhist monk, the Mahanayake Theros point out that this normal attire is his robes.

Furthermore, they have drawn the attention of the authorities to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which allow prisoners to wear their own clothing when going outside the prison.

Accordingly, the Mahanayake Theros request the Commissioner General of Prisons to allow Venerable Gnanasara Thero to appear in court dressed in robes and to take steps to maintain his monkhood during his time in prison custody.

This letter has been signed by the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros representing the four main chapters: Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Nayaka Thero of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Nayaka Thero of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyana Goda Maithreemurthi Nayaka Thero of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, and Most Venerable Makulewe Sri Wimala Nayaka Thero of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya. The official letter, bearing the signatures of the Mahanayake Theros, can be observed below.