Colombo, October 16 (Daily Mirror) - Buddhist monks and their supporters continued to occupy the road in front of the Presidential Secretariat this morning (16), demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
The protesters, participating in the “Justice for the Robe – National Pledge Offering and Freedom March”, arrived near the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (15) under the leadership of the Maha Sangha, demanding a definitive response from the Government regarding Gnanasara Thero’s release.
Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake met the monks and informed them that a definitive answer could not be provided on the matter.
Subsequently, Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi arrived at the scene and held discussions with the assembled monks.
During the discussions, Chandrakeerthi said the President had been informed of their request and had agreed to allow the Government to proceed in accordance with the relevant legal procedures and the provisions of the Constitution.
However, the monks questioned how long the process would take. When Chandrakeerthi said he could not provide a specific timeframe, the monks and their supporters decided to continue their protest near the Presidential Secretariat until their demand was fulfilled.