Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, stated that Buddhist monks who are incarcerated are fully permitted to wear their robes when being taken outside the prison premises; this right remains in effect unless the relevant monastic order (Nikaya) issues instructions to the contrary.
The Minister made these remarks today (14) while issuing a special statement to the media regarding the report of the special committee appointed to update the laws, regulations, and standing orders under the Prisons Ordinance.
Based on the committee’s recommendations, proposals have been made to amend Prison Standing Order ‘356’ to ‘356 (A)’ and to revise Departmental Order ‘550’.
Accordingly, the Minister pointed out that when a monk is incarcerated, the Commissioner of Prisons is granted a 10-day period to notify the Department of Buddhist Affairs and take appropriate action regarding the removal of the robes the monk was wearing. It was also clarified that these provisions should be suitably modified should a member of the clergy from another religion become an inmate.
Furthermore, an amendment to Standing Order 550 stipulates that the permission granted to wear the Chivara (monk’s robe) when being taken outside the prison remains valid, provided there is no objection from the relevant Nikaya (sect).
The Minister stated that the existing Standing Orders are to be promptly amended in accordance with the committee’s recommendations and that the Commissioner of Prisons will soon issue the necessary instructions.