Extraordinary Gazette Amends Standing Orders on Imprisoned Buddhist Monks

COLOMBO (News 1st): 
An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued amending the Standing Orders under the Prisons Ordinance to set out procedures for notifying the respective Nikaya of Ven. Theros who are being imprisoned. 

The gazette was issued under the hand of the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Prasad Hemantha Kumara, with the approval of the Minister of Justice. 

According to the new Standing Orders, when a Thero is imprisoned, the Commissioner of Prisons must consult the Department of Buddhist Affairs regarding the removal of robes at the time of imprisonment.

The Department of Buddhist Affairs must inform the relevant Nikaya or Chapter of the Thero and communicate its decision to the Commissioner of Prisons within 10 days.

If no response is received within that period, the Commissioner of Prisons may take necessary action in accordance with the relevant provisions.

The standing orders also permit imprisoned Buddhist monks to wear their robes when taken outside prison in the capacity of a prisoner.

However, if the relevant Nikaya has not granted approval for him to wear robes, the Commissioner General of Prisons must act in accordance with the applicable provisions of the new Standing Orders.

The Commissioner must also request the Department of Buddhist Affairs to obtain the necessary approval from the relevant Nikaya or Chapter within seven working days of imprisonment.

The Gazette notification further states that these orders should be applied with necessary changes when imprisonment or releasing a clergy belonging to other religions.