Senior prelate urges authorities to allow Gnanasara Thera to wear his robes in prison

Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena, has asked the Prison Commissioner General to permit him to keep and wear his robes while incarcerated. In a letter addressed to the Prison Commissioner General, the senior monk explained that Gnanasara Thera is a member of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha within the Mahavihara tradition.

The letter came after news that Gnanasara Thera had been brought before the court wearing everyday clothes. The retired professor emphasized that he was not commenting on the court's decision about Gnanasara Thera, but stressed the importance of respecting the judiciary's authority. However, he clarified that decisions regarding a monk's robes are his personal matter and that of the Sangha Sabha he belongs to.

According to the letter, the removal of a monk's robes is an internal issue that should be handled with the approval of the Mahanayake Thera of the monk's Nikaya or Sangha Sabha. The senior prelate argued that following this traditional practice is crucial to preserving the Buddhist tradition, warning that disregarding it could set a dangerous precedent.

He noted that there were no reports of Gnanasara Thera committing any Vinaya Pitaka violations or other serious ecclesiastical issues that would justify removing his robes. Therefore, the prelate requested that prison authorities refrain from taking away Gnanasara Thera's robes and allow him to wear them while serving his sentence.