New regulations for imprisoned Buddhist monks to be approved within two weeks

New regulations on Buddhist monks serving prison sentences are expected to be approved within the next two weeks, allowing them to be taken outside prison wearing their robes based on recommendations from the respective Nikaya or Buddhist chapter, the President’s Media Division (PMD) has announced.

The decision follows a special discussion held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives of the Maha Sangha representing Sri Lanka’s three Buddhist Nikayas at the Presidential Secretariat on October 08, 2026.

The meeting was held after the Mahanayaka Theros wrote to the Commissioner General of Prisons regarding the existing procedures followed when taking imprisoned Buddhist monks outside prison, in the wake of the incident involving Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero.

During the discussion, the President explained that the Prisons Ordinance of 1877, which governs the current prison system, and its regulations do not contain specific provisions for Buddhist monks. He also noted that prison officials had acted within the existing legal framework.

The President stated that he was not prepared to issue orders for individuals that override the existing law, emphasizing that the appropriate course of action was to amend the legal framework to reflect present-day requirements.

Representatives of the Maha Sangha, including Anunayaka Theros and senior monastic officials responsible for administration, pointed out that such situations involving Buddhist monks were highly sensitive matters for both the Maha Sangha and society as a whole.

Accordingly, the Maha Sangha proposed introducing regulations under which, when a Buddhist monk is convicted by a court and sentenced to more than three years in prison, the relevant Nikaya or Buddhist chapter would be informed. The monk could then be taken outside prison in monastic robes based on the views and recommendations of the respective Nikaya or chapter.

The representatives also pointed out that such provisions would prevent the relief from being misused, according to the PMD statement.

Following the understanding reached during the meeting between the President and the Maha Sangha, a five-member special committee was appointed on October 8 to urgently examine the matter and update the regulations and standing orders under the Prisons Ordinance.

The committee is chaired by Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Prince Senadheera. Its other members are Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Wasantha Ariyaratne, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, R.M.G. Senaratne, and Commissioner General of Prisons, A.C. Gajanayake.

The committee held its first meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on October 09 under the chairmanship of Prince Senadheera. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, provided the necessary policy guidance.

The committee is expected to complete its study and submit proposals to amend the relevant regulations and standing orders within two weeks. The proposed amendments concerning Buddhist monks are scheduled to be presented to the Maha Sangha for their views and recommendations by the middle of next week.

The PMD further stated that the new regulations are expected to be approved within the next two weeks, after which imprisoned Buddhist monks may be taken outside prison wearing their monastic robes based on recommendations from their respective Nikaya or Buddhist chapter.