Mahanayake Theras to review the committee report on prison rules for Buddhist monks

The report of a committee appointed to update the regulations and standing orders issued under the Prisons Ordinance will be submitted to the Mahanayake Theras for review, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has said, according to NewsFirst.

Ministry Secretary Prince Senadheera said the report is scheduled to be handed to the Presidential Secretary on Thursday 15 October, and that the committee will meet again on Monday to reach a final decision.

An initial discussion on amending several regulations and standing orders relating to Buddhist monks held in prisons took place on the afternoon of Friday 9 October at the Presidential Secretariat.

Why the rules are being revisited

The review follows the appearance in court of the imprisoned Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera in civilian clothing rather than his robes, which drew protests from a section of the Buddhist clergy.

The Daily Mirror reported on 9 October that the President had decided to amend the Prisons Ordinance to give authorities more flexibility in determining the attire of convicted members of the clergy, and that a committee had been appointed for the purpose and was expected to meet that day — the sitting NewsFirst now places on Friday afternoon.

The Mahanayake Theras of the four main chapters have written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake saying only they may decide on removing a monk’s robe, following an investigation conducted in keeping with Buddhist tradition, and that prison authorities have no such role.

The committee

Besides Senadheera, the members named are Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration; Wasantha Ariyaratne, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; R.M.G. Senaratne, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs; and A.C. Gajanayake, a Commissioner of the Department of Prisons.

The committee was appointed by the President to periodically review the Prisons Ordinance regulations and standing orders and update them in line with religious, cultural, legal, administrative and practical requirements.

Not reported

Neither filing sets out what the proposed amendments actually say, or whether they would apply retrospectively to Gnanasara Thera’s own case. Neither says which Mahanayake Theras will receive the report or by when they are expected to respond, nor whether their review is advisory or binding on the final decision.