By The Pulseline News Desk
The Government has ruled out releasing imprisoned Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera in violation of its mandate, as a protest by Buddhist monks demanding his release ended outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (16), following a court order.
Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has said neither President Anura Kumara Dissanayake nor the Government would take a decision contrary to the mandate given by the people, which he has said required the rule of law to be upheld and equality before the law to be ensured.
Responding to calls by a group of Buddhist monks for a Presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thera, the Minister has said such a demand could not be fulfilled if it meant acting against that mandate.
“We cannot go against the mandate under any circumstances. I am certain that the President will not take a decision contrary to the mandate. One should make demands that can be fulfilled,” he has said.
The Government’s position comes amid growing calls from sections of the Buddhist clergy for Gnanasara Thera’s release, with the issue also being raised with senior prison officials and the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters.
Court order ends protest outside Secretariat
The protesting monks dismantled their temporary shelters and vacated the area opposite the Presidential Secretariat on Galle Road after the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court issued an order prohibiting them from remaining at the location.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena issued the order on Friday (16), following concerns raised by the Police over the demonstration being held near the Presidential Secretariat, which is designated as a high-security zone.
The order had named Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera and 54 others. Police subsequently read out and handed over the directive to the protesters, who complied by removing the temporary structures and leaving the site.
The protest, conducted under the banner of Justice for the Robe – Freedom March, began on October 10 at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. The monks subsequently travelled to Colombo, arriving near the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (15) to demand a clear response from the Government regarding Gnanasara Thera’s release.
The demonstrators staged a sit-in protest and remained at the location overnight before the court intervened.
Following their departure, the monks visited the Ministry of Buddhasasana, where four representatives were given an opportunity to hold discussions with ministry officials.
Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera said responsibility for matters concerning the offering of robes rested with the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs.
The monks intended to remain near the Ministry of Buddhasasana on Friday night while pursuing the necessary arrangements concerning the matter, he added.
Mahanayake Theras raise release and prison conditions
Meanwhile, a delegation of senior prison officials, including Commissioner of Prisons (Operations and Media) Senaka Palletenna, has met the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters in Kandy on Friday.
During the meeting at the Asgiri Maha Viharaya, Asgiri Mahanayake Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera has inquired whether there was a procedure through which Gnanasara Thera could be released from prison.
Responding to the inquiry, Palletenna has said no definite decision had been taken on the matter.
The Commissioner has subsequently visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, where he met Malwathu Mahanayake Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera.
The Malwathu Mahanayake has raised concerns over the accommodation and treatment of Buddhist monks held in custody, calling for separate detention facilities for monks remanded or imprisoned over criminal charges.
He has noted that previous discussions on establishing such facilities had ended without a decision.
He has also stressed that monks in custody should be accommodated in facilities where they could engage in religious activities without restrictions and be treated with dignity.
Government faces calls to uphold rule of law
The Government’s position signals that it will not grant a release that it considers contrary to its electoral mandate, despite pressure from sections of the Buddhist clergy.
The end of the protest has removed the immediate confrontation outside the Presidential Secretariat, but the issue remains unresolved, with the monks pursuing discussions with the relevant authorities.
The central question is whether any legally permissible avenue exists for Gnanasara Thera’s release, while the Government maintains that any decision must be consistent with the rule of law and the principle that all citizens are equal before it.
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