Three-judge bench appointed to hear petitions over removal of Gnanasara Thera’s robes

The Court of Appeal has appointed a three-judge bench to hear petitions challenging the decision by prison authorities to remove Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera’s monastic robes following his imprisonment, as the issue continued to draw political controversy.

Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya appointed Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando to consider the petitions.

The new bench was named after Justice Abeysuriya informed court that he would recuse himself from hearing the matter.

The petitions seek an order invalidating the decision by prison authorities to remove Gnanasara Thera’s robes after he was sentenced to imprisonment.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from the United National Party, which said the Prisons Department’s standing orders already clearly set out the rules governing the clothing to be worn by imprisoned Buddhist monks and other religious leaders when they are taken outside prison.

In a statement, the UNP said that since the standing orders already provide direct guidance on the matter, the Government’s decision to appoint a committee to make recommendations was an attempt to delay and obscure the issue.

The party strongly criticised the Government’s handling of the matter and said it should apologise to the Mahanayake Thera and the Sangha Sabha of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha over the removal of Gnanasara Thera’s robes.