Sri Lanka, Oct. 24 -- An extraordinary gazette notification was issued amending the standing orders of the Prisons Department, including instructions on how to act regarding the removal of robes and the use of clothing when a Buddhist monk is imprisoned as a prisoner or released from prison.

This was issued by Acting Commissioner General of Prisons R. Prasad Hemantha Kumara under the powers vested by the Prisons Ordinance, with the approval of the Minister of Justice and National Integration.

According to the new amendment, when a monk is imprisoned as a prisoner, the Department of Buddhist Affairs must be consulted regarding the removal of the robes he was wearing until then.

Thereafter, the Department of Buddhist Affairs must inform ...