Monday Oct 26, 2026
Monday Oct 26, 2026
Monday, 26 October 2026 06:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Protesting monks surrounded the Presidential Secretariat on 15 October before moving to Viharamahadevi Park where the protest was temporarily paused yesterday
The satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo demanding the release of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero has been temporarily suspended, Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero said yesterday.
Addressing the media yesterday afternoon alongside the Buddhist monks taking part in the satyagraha, Ven. Sumangala Thero said the decision was taken following information that the Mahanayake Theros of the Three Nikayas were intervening to secure Ven. Gnanasara Thero’s release.
The Mahanayake Theros of the Three Nikayas yesterday called on Buddhist monks to uphold monastic discipline and harmony, warning that certain groups were exploiting ongoing protests demanding a presidential pardon for Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero to damage the reputation of the Buddhist clergy locally and internationally.
In a special statement, the senior prelates said they had already intervened and initiated discussions with the Government to resolve the matter through legal means and dialogue.
The respect accorded to Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka’s religious and social context, they said, depended on the preservation of monastic discipline (Vinaya) and spiritual restraint.
The prelates called on members of the Maha Sangha, the order of Buddhist monks, across all Nikayas to maintain unity and harmony within the clergy and to resolve disputes in accordance with the Dhamma and Vinaya, while acting in a manner that would strengthen public confidence and faith.
The statement was issued by Siam Nikaya Malwathu Chapter Mahanayake Most Ven. Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, Siam Nikaya Asgiri Chapter Mahanayake Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Pannananda Dhammasiddhi Thero, Sri Lanka Amarapura Nikaya Supreme Mahanayake Most Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Thero and Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya Mahanayake Most Ven. Makulawewa Sri Wimala Thero.
