A procession led by Buddhist monks began today (10) from the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises in Kandy, protesting the removal of the robes of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero and calling for his release.
Before the procession commenced, a special blessing ceremony was held at the Magul Maduwa in Kandy.
Addressing the gathering, Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero strongly condemned what he described as arbitrary actions taken by the current government against Gnanasara Thero.
He stated that, just as Venerable Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thero had raised his voice to protect the nation and the Buddha Sasana in the past, Gnanasara Thero had also spoken out for the welfare of the country, the nation and the Buddhist dispensation.
Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero further said that Gnanasara Thero had not been imprisoned for a personal matter, but was serving his sentence on behalf of the nation and the Buddhist Sasana.
He emphasised that it was the responsibility of all four groups of the Buddhist community to stand by Gnanasara Thero unconditionally and ensure that he was not left alone.
The procession, described as a march of determination, began near the statue of Venerable Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thero within the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises. It is scheduled to proceed to the location where Gnanasara Thero is being held in custody.
