The Department of Government Information has announced that a discussion is scheduled to take place today (08) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Maha Sangha, representing the Mahanayake Theros of the three Nikayas.
This discussion is set to address a letter sent by the Mahanayake Theros of the three Nikayas to the Commissioner General of Prisons regarding the incident where Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero—who had been imprisoned following a court verdict—was produced before the court dressed in lay attire.
Accordingly, the discussion is scheduled to be held at 1:00 PM today at the Presidential Secretariat.
The Mahanayake Theros of the three Nikayas had issued a written notification to the Commissioner General of Prisons yesterday (07) regarding the matter of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero being produced before the court in lay attire. The Mahanayaka Theros of the three Nikayas point out that the removal of a monk’s robes or the revocation of his monastic status is not merely a matter of state administration or prison regulations, but an ecclesiastical function pertaining to the Maha Sangha.