Buddhist monks stage protest outside Presidential Secretariat, demand Gnanasara Thera’s release

COLOMBO – Buddhist monks staged a protest outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Thursday (15), demanding written assurances from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera would be granted a presidential pardon and released from prison.

The monks also called for guarantees that the religious rights of Buddhist monks would be protected and due respect accorded to the saffron robe.

The protest followed a six-day foot march from Kandy to Colombo under the banner ‘Justice for the Saffron Robe – March for Freedom’, which began on October 10 and reached the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday amid heavy rain.

When the monks arrived at the Secretariat’s main entrance, they initially insisted that the President meet them in person. Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake subsequently met the protesters, who handed him a petition demanding Gnanasara Thera’s release.

However, Dr Kumanayake said he was unable to provide an immediate response as the matter concerned the judiciary, before returning to the Secretariat.

About half an hour later, an official informed the monks that a response to their request would be provided within a month. The monks rejected the proposal as unacceptable, insisting on a written commitment regarding Gnanasara Thera’s release or a public announcement specifying when a decision would be made.

They subsequently erected tents outside the Presidential Secretariat and vowed to continue their protest until they received an official response.

The delegation that met Dr Kumanayake was led by Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, who questioned why arrangements had not been made to receive the monks despite prior notification of their arrival.

“We have come on foot from Kandy. Although we had already informed that we would be coming to the Presidential Secretariat, why were arrangements not made in advance to meet us?” he asked.

“We have not come here to confront you. There is no need to resolve this issue through a confrontation,” he said, adding that the monks were seeking a correction to what they considered an error concerning a freedom that had already been granted, rather than demanding any new freedom.

Sumangala Thera also questioned who should take responsibility for correcting an alleged error if officials implementing a presidential order claimed they could not alter it arbitrarily.

He stressed that the delegation included members of the Maha Sangha representing all three Nikayas, academics, lawyers and other prominent figures, and called on the President’s Secretary to clearly explain the response to their demands.

In reply, Dr Kumanayake said he had assumed duties as Secretary to the President towards the end of 2024 and acted in accordance with the instructions of the incumbent President.

While Gnanasara Thera’s release was the principal demand of the Freedom March, participants also raised concerns about the treatment of Buddhist monks in prison, including practices relating to their clothing and the protection of their religious rights.

Thousands took part in the final leg of the march, which began in Kadawatha before proceeding to Colombo. Despite heavy rain, the protesters reached the Presidential Secretariat in the evening, where they recited Pirith, sang the Maha Vandana and chanted ‘Sadhu, Sadhu’.

Members of the public also joined the gathering, causing severe traffic congestion in the surrounding area, while security was tightened.

Tensions arose between the protesters and police as the monks pressed for an opportunity to convey their demands directly to the President.

The monks have since maintained their protest outside the Secretariat, declaring that they will not leave until an official response is received.

– ENCL