New prison rules set out procedures on monks’ robes

Sri Lanka has amended its prison standing orders to introduce procedures for consulting religious authorities over the removal of imprisoned monks’ robes and permitting religious clothing when prisoners are taken outside prison.

The changes, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2511/30 dated 20 October, also apply to clergy of other religions, with necessary modifications.

Under the new Standing Order 356A, the Department of Buddhist Affairs must be consulted regarding the removal of the robes worn by a Buddhist monk when admitted to prison as a prisoner.

The Department must inform the relevant monastic order or chapter and communicate to the Commissioner of Prisons, within ten days, the action taken by that order or chapter concerning the removal of the robes.

If no response is received within that period, the Commissioner may proceed under the applicable provisions.

A separate amendment to Standing Order 550 provides that an imprisoned Buddhist monk must be allowed to wear the robes worn at the time of admission when taken outside prison.

However, where the relevant monastic order or chapter has not approved the wearing of robes, the Commissioner must act in accordance with the applicable provisions.

To obtain that approval, the Commissioner must notify the Department of Buddhist Affairs within seven working days of the prisoner’s imprisonment.

The amendment retains the requirement that clothing issued under Standing Order 550 must bear no marks identifying it as prison clothing.

Both the procedure concerning removal of religious clothing on admission and the provisions governing clothing when taken outside prison extend to clergy of other religions, with the necessary adjustments.

The standing orders were made under Section 6(2) and (3) of the Prisons Ordinance with the approval of the Minister of Justice and National Integration. The notice was signed by R. Prasad Hemantha Kumara on 15 October.