Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala said the court had no authority to issue an order to have Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who is in prison custody, dressed in robes again.
The judge questioned in open court today whether all other imprisoned Buddhist monks should also be dressed in robes by the Mahanayake Theras before being produced in court.
The matter arose when the case against Gnanasara Thera over allegations that he undermined communal harmony by making a statement insulting Islam was called before the judge.
Prison officials produced the accused monk remotely through a WhatsApp video call.
Explaining the arrangements, the judge noted that, after Gnanasara Thera was imprisoned under a sentencing order issued by the Court of Appeal, prison officials had removed his robes, dressed him in white clothing and produced him in court for other proceedings.
The judge said prison officials had informed the court through a motion filed two days earlier that the accused would appear remotely to prevent possible unrest, following agitated behavior by a group of Buddhist monks over the incident.
Appearing for Gnanasara Thera, attorney Ashoka Weerasuriya told the court that the Mahanayake Thera of the Kotte Chapter had written to prison authorities requesting that the monk be ceremonially dressed in robes again without violating prison regulations. However, no response had yet been received, he said.
The lawyer therefore requested that the necessary steps be taken to have Gnanasara Thera ceremonially dressed in robes again.
Rejecting the request, Judge Ragala emphasized that the court had no authority to issue any order concerning the removal of the accused’s robes.
The judge said many other Buddhist monks were serving prison sentences after being convicted of various offenses. He questioned whether all of them would have to be dressed in robes by the Mahanayake Theras before being produced for further court proceedings.
The judge also directed both parties to inform the court at the next hearing whether they intended to enter into a plea agreement under the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. 50 of 2024.
After considering the submissions, the court fixed the next hearing for January 29, 2027.