'ඔබතුමා බබෙක්ද .. මෙතන බබා හුකුං එපා' පාතේගම හිමි ජනපති ලේකම්ට පිරිස ඉදිරිපිට සැර වෙයි

A heated discussion erupted between Buddhist monks who had arrived on a foot pilgrimage from Kandy for the release of Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, and a group including the Presidential Secretary. At the end of this march, University Professor Venerable Pathagama Gnanasara Thero was seen severely criticizing Presidential Secretary Mr. Nandika Kumanaayaka and police officers who had come to inquire into the monks' demands.

Commenting on the issue, Venerable Pathagama Gnanasara Thero pointed out that they are not asking for a new release, but only requesting to correct a mistake made by state officials regarding the freedom previously granted. He emphasized before the Presidential Secretary that it was a great injustice that Gnanasara Thero, despite being granted freedom in 2022, had to be re-imprisoned due to an error by officials.

Responding to this, Presidential Secretary Mr. Nandika Kumanaayaka stated that the proper procedure was not followed during the said release, which occurred during the time of the previous president. The Secretary explained that he assumed this position in late 2024, and that such a decision cannot be made by officials alone, but it is a decision that must be made by the current president himself.

Professor Gnanasara Thero, who was greatly angered by that reply, pointed out that the power to implement a presidential order lies with the Presidential Secretary, who is the chief administrative officer. He expressed his displeasure to the Secretary for coming without prior discussion, despite being aware of the monks' arrival. "We didn't come all the way from Kandy to see these childish excuses. You talk as if you know nothing, are you a child... are you a baby?" he stated in a stern tone.

Although police officers intervened to try and calm the monks during this heated moment, it further aggravated the situation. Stating that the police were trying to suppress his voice, Gnanasara Thero vehemently protested, saying, "Can the police shut my mouth? The police themselves are talking about working for a salary." Subsequently, the other monks intervened and took him aside to calm him down.

Gnanasara Thero further stated that a group including Mahanayaka Theros of the three Nikayas, university lecturers, professors, and lawyer monks were participating in this protest, and that they made this sacrifice non-violently during the Vas (rainy retreat) period. It was then reported that the group was preparing to set up a stage and hold a Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) at that location.

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