Monks’ foot march for Gnanasara Thera heads towards Colombo
COLOMBO ‒ A foot march organized by a group of Buddhist monks in protest against the removal of the robes of imprisoned Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was expected to reach the Warakapola–Nittambuwa area on Monday (12), as it proceeds towards Colombo.
The Nidahase Pada Yathra (Freedom Foot March), held under the theme ‘Justice for the Robe’, began on Saturday (10) from the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.
The march is scheduled to reach Colombo on Thursday (15), and end with a pecial Pirith chanting ceremony in front of Welikada Prison for Gnanasara Thera, who is serving a six-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for contempt of court.
The removal of his monastic robes and his appearance in court wearing prison clothing have drawn strong criticism from Buddhist monks and several political groups.
Amid the controversy, a special five-member committee headed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs was appointed to review prison regulations concerning the attire of incarcerated Buddhist monks and make appropriate recommendations.
The committee is expected to submit its final report to the President’s Secretary this week.
Meanwhile, Buddhist monks and the march organizers are gathering signatures for a petition calling on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera. The campaign aims to collect five million signatures.
–ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.