The Acting Commissioner General of Prisons has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification outlining the procedures to be followed regarding the removal of monastic robes when a Buddhist monk is imprisoned. 

The relevant Gazette notification was issued by Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Prasad Hemantha Kumara, with the approval of the Minister of Justice.

Accordingly, several Standing Orders of the Department of Prisons have been amended.

When a Buddhist monk is admitted to prison as an inmate, the Department of Buddhist Affairs must inform the relevant Buddhist Chapter or Sect regarding the removal of the monastic robes worn by the monk up to that point.

“356A. Where a Buddhist monk is imprisoned, the Commissioner of Prisons shall consult the Department of Buddhist Affairs regarding the removal of the robes worn by such monk at the time of imprisonment, and the Department of Buddhist Affairs shall inform the relevant Nikaya or Chapter accordingly and notify the Commissioner of Prisons of the actions taken by the Nikaya or Chapter regarding the removal of such robes within ten days. Where no response regarding the actions to be taken is received within that period, the Commissioner of Prisons may take the necessary action in accordance with the relevant provisions:

Provided that the preceding provisions shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the imprisonment of any priest of any other religion.”

The measures taken by the relevant Chapter or Sect regarding the removal of robes must be communicated to the Commissioner of Prisons through the Department of Buddhist Affairs within ten days. The Gazette notification further states that if no response is received within this period, the Commissioner of Prisons may proceed in accordance with the relevant provisions.

When an imprisoned monk is released from prison, permission must be granted for him to wear the same robes he was wearing at the time of his imprisonment. However, if the relevant Chapter or Sect has not granted approval for him to wear robes in this manner, the Commissioner of Prisons must act in accordance with the relevant directives.

For the purpose of obtaining the necessary approval from the relevant Chapter or Sect, the Commissioner of Prisons must notify the Department of Buddhist Affairs within seven (07) working days from the date of imprisonment.

The Gazette notification further states that these orders shall also apply, with the necessary modifications, when a member of the clergy belonging to another religion is admitted to prison or released.