'Freedom Foot March' arrives in front of the heavily guarded President's Office (photos)

The 'Freedom Foot March', which continued for six days amidst heavy rain, has created a tense situation at the Presidential Secretariat premises in Colombo today (Thursday, October 15th), upon its arrival. This protest march, which continuously advanced demanding the release of Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, is currently stationed in front of the Presidential Secretariat.

The foot march, which continued for the sixth day, started from Kadawatha town today and proceeded towards Colombo despite adverse weather conditions. By the time the protesters arrived near the Presidential Secretariat, tight police security had already been deployed, and currently, the group participating in the protest, led by the Maha Sangha (Buddhist clergy), is engaged in chanting Pirith in front of the Presidential Secretariat.

Buddhist religious leaders had expressed deep concern regarding the need to remove Venerable Gnanasara Thero's robes after his imprisonment. Against this backdrop, following discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives of the Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha, the government has already proposed amending prison regulations. Through these amendments, Buddhist monks held in remand will be permitted to wear their robes when being presented to court or taken outside the prison for other matters.

However, the protesters, not satisfied solely with the government's decision to amend prison regulations, emphasize that Venerable Gnanasara Thero should be granted full freedom. This ongoing protest, which has arrived at the Presidential Secretariat, indicates that the demands for Venerable Gnanasara Thero's freedom have further intensified.