Committee Appointed to Amend Laws on Imprisonment of Buddhist Monks, Says President

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that a committee will be appointed to introduce new standing orders and regulations regarding how Buddhist monks remain in prison and how they are transported outside of prison, by amending existing laws.

The President stated this while attending a special discussion with the Maha Sangha at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon.

The President announced that the committee will be appointed comprising the Attorney General, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Administration, the Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs, prison officers, and the Commissioner General of Prisons.

He added that the committee will be tasked with studying this matter and submitting amendments within two weeks.

The President also said that steps will be taken to discuss with the Maha Sangha the provisions of law that affect Buddhist monks and make appropriate amendments.

Emphasizing that he is not prepared to issue orders for select individuals when general laws exist, the President pointed out that if current laws are not suitable for the present, the proper course of action is to amend the law appropriately.

This meeting was held to discuss the letter sent to the Commissioner of Prisons by the Mahanayake Theros regarding the Prison Department producing Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero in court while the thero was clad in laymans attire, as well as the situation created in society following this incident, and the future measures to be taken to prevent such situations.

The President expressed his respect to the Maha Sangha for accepting his invitation and attending this discussion.