Buddhist hierarchy demands prison perks for monk convicts
MONETABRIEF– Sri Lanka’s two most senior Buddhist chapters, Malwatte and Asgiriya, demanded special concessions for monks serving prison sentences, following the disrobing of convicted monk Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara in line with established procedures. The chief prelate of the Asgiriya chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana, told Prisons Commissioner Senaka Palletenna that Ven.…
Sri Lanka's top Buddhist religious leaders have called for special privileges for monks serving time in prison, following the disrobing of Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara, a convicted monk currently serving a six-year sentence for contempt of court. The head of the Asgiriya chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana, urged the release of Gnanasara immediately, while the Malwatte chapter's chief prelate, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala, suggested setting aside a separate cell for convicted monks.
The Prisons Commissioner, Senaka Palletenna, explained that while he could not grant pardons, he would relay the demand to higher authorities. The Malwatte chief prelate acknowledged the court's decision but requested the establishment of a designated area within Welikada Prison for monks serving sentences. Currently, 63 Buddhist monks are incarcerated in Sri Lanka's criminal justice system.
Separately, a group of 34 monks previously ordered to vacate the area near the Presidential Secretariat ended their protest on Friday, after accepting the court's directive. The monks are demanding an unconditional pardon for Gnanasara, who has a prior criminal record and is thus considered a reconvicted prisoner.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
