Any individual serving a prison sentence of more than three years, regardless of their position or status, including the President of the country, is required to wear the prison-issued uniform when appearing before a court, Prisons Media Spokesman and Commissioner Senaka Pallathtenna said.
Commenting on the imprisonment of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, Pallathtenna said the Prisons Department had acted strictly according to the Prison Ordinance, departmental regulations and existing procedures.
He said all inmates are issued a prescribed prison uniform, which they are required to wear during their period of imprisonment, and the same rule applies to members of the clergy.
However, a member of the clergy sentenced to less than three years may be permitted by the Superintendent to appear before court wearing their religious robes instead of the prison uniform.
“Clergy members sentenced to more than three years are required to appear before court wearing the uniform provided by the prison,” he said.
Pallathtenna said the Prison Ordinance and relevant regulations clearly set out the attire to be worn by clergy members both inside prisons and when being produced before courts.
He said that no special orders had been received from any higher authority regarding the imprisonment of Gnanasara Thera, and that prison officials had acted solely in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
According to the Prisons Department, around 63 clergy members representing various religions are currently serving prison sentences, and the same regulations regarding prison attire apply to all of them.
Pallathtenna said these clergy members are also serving their sentences while wearing the uniforms prescribed by the Prisons Department.