Government Will Not Violate the Law to Secure the Release of Gnanasara Thera, Says Nalinda Jayatissa

28-Oct-2026

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No official request has so far been received from the Buddhist chapters seeking the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation. Even if such requests are made in the future, the Government will not act outside the law, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa firmly stated.

He made these remarks at the weekly media briefing on Cabinet decisions held at the Department of Government Information in Colombo on October 27, 2026.

Elaborating further, he said:

“The Government will always act in accordance with the law in force in the country. We have no intention of changing anything by placing ourselves above the law. However, following a letter previously sent by the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters to the Commissioner General of Prisons concerning Gnanasara Thera, we held a special discussion with representatives of the Mahanayake Theras, Anunayake Theras and others.

“As a result of that discussion, certain amendments were made to the prison standing orders, and an agreement was reached. Future action will be taken in accordance with those amended standing orders. Our approach is based on the principle that everyone is subject to the law. Therefore, the Government has no intention of overturning a court judgment by acting above the authority of the courts.

“Following a letter sent to the Commissioner General of Prisons by four Mahanayake Theras representing the three Buddhist chapters, the President held a special discussion with representatives of the Mahanayake Theras and others the following day. Amendments were made to the prison standing orders in accordance with the request of the Mahanayake Theras. We have so far acted in accordance with their views,” he said.