A peaceful protest is set to be held today (October 7) against steps taken by the Department of Prisons to remove the robes of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
Ven. Neethiyagama Chandima Thera said the protest would be held at 9.00 a.m. today at the Colombo Courts Complex.
He said the protest was not intended to challenge a court order, but was aimed at expressing concern over the removal of the monk’s robes and his appearance in public without them.
“We have a country, a nation, a religion and a culture. We are not expressing opposition to the court order. However, seeing Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera brought before the public after being disrobed has deeply distressed many people,” he said.
He called on young people to gather peacefully at the Colombo Courts Complex, stressing the need to prevent such an incident from becoming a precedent in the future.
Meanwhile, former Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera said he was saddened as a Buddhist by the decision to take steps to remove Gnanasara Thera’s robes.
Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka also commented on the issue, stating that the Department of Prisons does not have the authority to remove the monk’s robes.
