Buddhist monks in prison to be allowed to wear robes outside prison

Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara says Buddhist monks serving prison sentences will be permitted to wear their robes when taken outside prison, unless the relevant monastic order instructs otherwise.

The Minister announced the decision while commenting on the report of a special committee appointed to update regulations and standing orders issued under the Prisons Ordinance.

Nanayakkara said the committee had recommended amendments to Prison Standing Order 356, including the introduction of a new provision, 356(A), as well as an interim amendment to Departmental Order 550.

He said the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons had been instructed to amend the existing standing orders in accordance with the recommendations.

Under the proposed changes, when a Buddhist monk is imprisoned, the Department of Buddhist Affairs must be informed before any decision is taken to remove the clothing he had been wearing prior to imprisonment.

The Commissioner General of Prisons will be given 10 days to take further action after notifying the Department of Buddhist Affairs.

Nanayakkara said similar provisions would apply, with appropriate changes, to members of the clergy of other religions who are imprisoned.

He said the amendment to Standing Order 550 would allow a Buddhist monk to wear his robes whenever he is taken outside prison.

That right would remain in force unless the monastic order to which the monk belongs specifically informs the authorities that he should not be permitted to do so.

“These are the two main elements of the amendment,” Nanayakkara said.

He added that the interim committee report and the relevant instructions had already been sent to the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons, with directions to amend the standing orders accordingly.