The Maha Sangha has endorsed recommendations made by a committee appointed by the President to amend laws governing the treatment of Buddhist monks in prison, while calling for further discussions among the 31 factions of the country’s three main Buddhist chapters to establish a common framework for implementing the proposed changes.
The agreement was reached at a meeting of the Buddha Sasana Council held yesterday (20) at the “Dahampaya” premises of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, with representatives from all three Buddhist chapters in attendance.
A delegation of senior Buddhist monks led by Venerable Medagama Dhammananda Thero, Chief Secretary of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya, participated in the meeting.
Discussions focused on concerns surrounding the removal of the robes of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero and the measures taken by the Government in response. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Maha Sangha to present its views and proposals on the matter.
Ministry Secretary Prince Senadheera, who chairs the committee appointed by the President, outlined its recommendations and explained the proposed amendments to Sections 356 and 550 of the relevant legislation.
One of the proposals states that a Buddhist monk serving a prison sentence should be permitted to wear robes when taken outside prison to appear before a court or attend to another official matter only on the recommendation of the relevant Nikaya chapter or Sangha Council.
The Maha Sangha proposed that representatives of the 31 factions, or their respective Sangha Councils, hold further discussions to examine how the proposed legal provisions could be implemented in practice and establish a mutually agreed mechanism.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake, Ministry Secretary Prince Senadheera and Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs R. M. G. Senaratne were among the officials who attended the meeting.
