![Gossip Lanka News [English]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYm2aFFq-bIW1nWX-RrqnPFoIsVos6_VCVz8BpLt0QJi55GNXHXC2fugeRvL0qUStEuCfs7Sfu6ZiSlhrkldxfGuE_wzy5gitY6rMZ2KSi8VBbGvkgXLks37RwZV-4-HKbWiNLRxB8C_r1e4z3mpxFTMPDJPEADoG8E-bZteWFipeD5KNGbjvCfqEfKw=s300 "Gossip Lanka News [English]")
The Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiri Chapter strongly emphasized that immediate steps should be taken to release the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organization, Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, who is currently imprisoned. His Holiness made this statement today (16) at the Asgiri Maha Viharaya in Kandy, during a meeting with a group of senior prison officials.
A group of officials, including Commissioner of Prisons (Operations and Media) Mr. Senaka Palliyathanna, visited the Mahanayake Thero to inform him about a new draft amendment to existing laws and prison circulars concerning the discipline and safety of imprisoned Buddhist monks. A relevant document was also handed over to His Holiness by the officials.
The Asgiri Mahanayake Thero, after carefully listening to the officials' presentation, inquired if there was a mechanism to release Gnanasara Thero, setting aside the proposed circular amendments. Pointing out that the people of the country are currently agitated and restless, His Holiness responded directly to the officials, stating:
"Talking about this and that won't do... He needs to be released. People are agitated, aren't they? There should be some freedom..."
Responding to the Mahanayake Thero's inquiry, Commissioner Senaka Palliyathanna stated that no final decision has been made regarding the release of Gnanasara Thero.
Subsequently, these prison officials also visited the Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter. The Malwathu Mahanayake Thero then proposed to the officials the need to establish a separate facility with special amenities for monks who are remanded or imprisoned on various charges.
His Holiness recalled that this matter had been discussed before but no final decision had been reached yet. He strongly emphasized the need for a separate place to detain monks with due respect, enabling them to engage in religious rituals without hindrance.
