Sri Lanka, Oct. 8 -- The Chief Prelates of the tri-sects have sent a special letter to the Commissioner General of Prisons expressing their deep regret over the Prisons Department's decision to dress Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera in lay clothes prior to producing him before court.

The letter highlights that revoking a monk's ordained status or removing his robes is not merely a matter limited to state administration or prison regulations, but is a sacred religious function belonging exclusively to the Buddhist Clergy.

The Chief Prelates emphasised that the prison administration taking such action-at a time when the relevant Sangha Sabha has taken no decision declaring that Venerable Gnanasara Thera has committed a Parajika o...