– Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera will be taken to court in his monk’s robes on October 23, following changes to the relevant Standing Orders, a spokesperson for the Department of Buddhist Affairs said.

The Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs has informed the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Thera of the Nikaya to which Gnanasara Thera belongs about the arrangements.The Commissioner General has also sought guidance from the Maha Nayaka Thera on the proper way to take the monk to court. The Department has requested the approval and consent of the monastic leadership following the recent changes.Meanwhile, Ven. Dr. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera, Deputy Nayaka Thera of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, has criticized calls to remove Gnanasara Thera’s robes.

Speaking at a press conference, he said such calls could cause serious harm to the Buddhist Sasana and its long-standing role in the country.He also spoke about the President’s response to the issue, the responsibilities of Buddhist monks and the need to protect the Sasana.The issue has raised concerns about how Buddhist monks should be treated while in custody and when they are taken to court.