President appoints committee to review prison rules on detention of Buddhist monks

Glocal
By Editor_1
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake exchanges pleasantries with the Maha Sangha at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Thursday (October 8, 2026) - PMD

COLOMBO – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a special committee to review and update the regulations and standing orders governing Sri Lanka’s prison system, including provisions relating to the detention of Buddhist monks and their production outside prison premises.

The committee was appointed following a special discussion between the President and representatives of the Maha Sangha from the three Nikayas at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (8)..

It has been tasked with reviewing the rules and regulations issued under the Prisons Ordinance and recommending amendments to bring them in line with current religious, cultural, legal, administrative and practical requirements. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within two weeks.

The committee comprises Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prince Senadheera, Secretary, Ministry of Justice and National Integration Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Wasantha Ariyarathna, Commissioner-General of Buddhist Affairs R.M.G. Senarathna and Commissioner, Prisons Department A.C. Gajanayake.

The review follows concerns raised by the Mahanayake Theras over the removal of the robes of Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera before he was produced in court in prison clothing, and the public reaction to the incident.

President Dissanayake said the review would examine how Buddhist monks are detained in prisons and how they should be taken outside prison premises, including when being produced before courts.

He said the existing prison framework was largely designed for ordinary prisoners and contained only limited provisions specifically relating to Buddhist monks. The Prisons Ordinance, enacted in 1877, has been amended periodically, while regulations issued under it and prison standing orders provide the framework for administering prisons.

The President said the existing rules distinguish between simple and rigorous imprisonment. Prisoners serving simple imprisonment may, with the approval of the prison superintendent, wear clothing of their choice, while those serving rigorous imprisonment are required to wear prescribed prison clothing.

He noted, however, that the issue was particularly sensitive when Buddhist monks were taken outside prison premises, where they came into contact with the public and media.

“Laws are not eternal or unchanging historical entities; they are regularly amended,” President Dissanayake said, stressing that he would not instruct officials to disregard existing laws.

He said that if existing provisions were no longer appropriate, the proper course was to amend the law through the established process rather than make exceptions based on individual instructions.

The President also said any new provisions should apply to the prison system generally and should not be designed for any particular monk.

The Maha Sangha expressed appreciation to the President for initiating the review and taking steps to address the issue.

The discussion was attended by senior representatives of the three Nikayas, including Most Venerable Narampanave Ananda Thera, Most Venerable Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thera, Most Venerable Mahawela Sri Rathanapala Thera, Most Venerable Balapitiye Sirisivali Thera, Most Venerable Ahangama Maithreemurthi Thera, Venerable Attangane Sasanarathana Thero and Most Venerable Kongasthanne Ananda Thera.

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi and Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara also attended the meeting.

-ENCL

Editor_1
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