By The Pulseline News Desk
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced plans to amend existing laws governing the treatment of Buddhist monks in prison and their transportation outside prison, following concerns raised by the Maha Sangha over the production of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero in court wearing civilian attire.
The President said a committee comprising the Attorney General, representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Public Administration and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs, prison officials, and the Commissioner General of Prisons would be appointed to examine the existing legal framework and recommend amendments.
The committee has been instructed to submit its proposals within two weeks, he said.
The announcement was made during a special discussion with members of the Maha Sangha at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, convened to address concerns arising from the Prison Department producing Ven. Gnanasara Thero in court wearing layman’s attire.
The meeting also focused on the social reaction to the incident and measures to prevent similar situations in the future.
President Dissanayake said the Government would consult the Maha Sangha on legal provisions affecting Buddhist monks and introduce appropriate amendments where necessary.
Emphasising that he was not prepared to issue special orders for selected individuals when general laws were in force, the President said the appropriate course of action, if existing laws were unsuitable for present circumstances, was to amend them through the proper legal process.
The proposed review is expected to examine the existing procedures governing how Buddhist monks are held in custody and presented before courts, with the aim of addressing concerns raised by the Maha Sangha within the framework of the law.
The discussion followed a letter sent by the Mahanayake Theros to the Commissioner General of Prisons concerning the decision to produce Ven. Gnanasara Thero in court in civilian clothing.
President Dissanayake thanked the Maha Sangha for accepting his invitation and participating in the discussion.
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