Monks in prison disrobing and wearing jumpers: Committee agrees to Mahanayaka Thero's request

Steps have been taken to amend prison laws to grant full permission for imprisoned Buddhist monks to wear their robes when they are taken outside the prison. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harsha Nanayakkara, stated that this permission will remain continuously in effect until the respective monk's sect informs otherwise.

The Minister revealed this while briefing the media on the report of the special committee appointed to update the rules, regulations, and standing orders formulated under the Prisons Ordinance. According to the recommendations of that committee, it has now been proposed to amend Prison Standing Order 356 and add a new section as 356 (a), and to introduce an interim directive to amend Departmental Order 550.

According to the new amendments, a special procedure is to be followed when a Buddhist monk is imprisoned as a detainee. In this regard, the Department of Buddhist Affairs will be informed about the removal of the detainee's previous attire, and a period of ten days has been given to the Commissioner General of Prisons to take appropriate action accordingly.

Through the new section added to Standing Order 550, an imprisoned monk will thus legally be entitled to wear robes whenever taken outside the prison. Furthermore, the Minister of Justice pointed out that these provisions should be adapted and applied accordingly when a representative of the clergy belonging to another religion becomes a prisoner.

The interim committee report containing the core essence of this legal amendment and the related letter have already been forwarded to the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons. Accordingly, the Minister has further instructed the Commissioner General to promptly amend the currently enforced Prison Standing Orders as outlined in the relevant recommendations.