Sajith calls on govt to respect religious traditions and dignity of Buddhist robe

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has raised concerns over jailed Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera being brought before court in civilian clothes, calling on the government to respect religious traditions and the dignity of the Buddhist robe.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Premadasa said courts operate within a legal framework and cannot go beyond those limits, but argued that governments must also act sensitively towards social traditions, conventions and cultural identities.

He said media reports showed that Gnanasara Thera had been brought to court in civilian clothes without his consent.

Premadasa said while defendants are permitted to appear in appropriate civilian clothing to maintain the dignity of the court, it was inappropriate to bring a Buddhist monk or another religious leader in civilian clothes without their consent or without the knowledge of the religious institution they represent.

He said decisions concerning a person’s status as a Buddhist monk, or their official standing within another religion, should be made by the relevant religious institution.

The Opposition Leader urged the government to ensure that sensitive matters of this nature are handled with the knowledge and approval of the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters, or the relevant religious leadership in cases involving other faiths.

Gnanasara Thera was brought before the Colombo High Court on Tuesday dressed in civilian clothes. (Newswire)

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