Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara issued a written response today (15) addressing a statement released by the United National Party (UNP) regarding the imprisonment of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
The UNP issued its statement yesterday (14), citing comments made by Joint Opposition Convener Professor G.L. Peiris. The party argued that the Prisons Department Standing Orders already contain clear provisions governing the attire required when escorting imprisoned monks and religious leaders outside. The UNP claimed that appointing a committee to present recommendations on the matter was a “dishonest” effort to cover up and prolong the issue, adding that the government should apologize to the Mahanayake Thera and the Sangha Sabha of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Siam Maha Nikaya over the removal of Gnanasara Thera’s robes.
In his reply, the Justice Minister stated that the UNP “intentionally”quoted only a single portion of Prisons Standing Order No. 550 to present a “distorted” view that “misleads” the public. Nanayakkara noted that it is deeply regrettable for a responsible political party to circulate distorted views on a socially sensitive matter involving an imprisoned Buddhist monk.
He highlighted that anyone with even a minimal understanding of the law should know that presenting facts based on only a fraction of a legal provision leads to an incorrect or incomplete understanding. The Minister added that the UNP’s media release created a “misleading” impression by failing to present the full text of the relevant Standing Order and ignoring the specific duration of the prison sentence handed to Gnanasara Thera. (Newswire)
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