A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Maha Sangha, representing the Most Ven. Tri-Nikaya Mahanayake Theras, is scheduled to be held today (Oct. 08).The Department of Government Information said the meeting is being held in connection with a letter sent by the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas to the Commissioner General of Prisons regarding Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who was imprisoned pursuant to a court ruling, being produced before the court dressed in civilian attire.

Accordingly, the meeting is scheduled to be held at the Presidential Secretariat at 1.00 p.m. today.The Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas yesterday (Oct. 07) submitted a letter to the Commissioner General of Prisons regarding Ven. Gnanasara Thera being dressed in civilian attire and produced before the court.In the letter, the Mahanayake Theras stressed that they were surprised and deeply concerned about the manner in which the Prisons Department had acted in producing Gnanasara Thera before the court in that manner.

The Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas pointed out that removing the robes of a Buddhist monk or terminating his monastic status is not merely a matter limited to State administration or prison regulations, but is an ecclesiastical matter that falls under the Maha Sangha.The letter further stated that, in the absence of any decision by the Sangha Sabha that Ven. Gnanasara Thera had committed a Parajika offence resulting in the termination of his monastic status or that he should be expelled from the robes, such action by the prison administration could challenge the continuity of the entire Buddha Sasana and cause harm to Buddhist traditions.

The Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas further pointed out that, regarding matters relating to the monastic status of a monk convicted by the court, it would be appropriate for the Prisons Department to act in accordance with the recommendations and directives of the Nikaya to which the monk belongs.

Accordingly, the letter further requested the Commissioner General of Prisons to make arrangements to ensure that Gnanasara Thera’s monastic status is not prejudiced while he remains in prison, without obstructing the court ruling or prison regulations, and to provide the necessary administrative facilities for him to continue to appear in his monastic status when being produced for future court proceedings.