Petitions over prison attire, October 2026

Details

Court: Court of Appeal
Concerns: A prison authorities’ decision requiring him to wear prison attire, reported as the removal of his robe
Status: On 14 October 2026 the Court of Appeal President recused himself and appointed a new three-judge bench (Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando); on 15 October 2026 that bench ordered the petitions to be taken up for consideration on 22 October 2026. The Prisons Department spokesperson said on 14 October 2026 that a committee reviewing prison attire regulations for imprisoned religious leaders was expected to report this week or next
Appears on: Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
Last checked: 16 Oct 2026 (what this means)

22 Oct 2026: Petitions to be taken up for consideration in the Court of Appeal

Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Subject of / Petitions over prison attire, October 2026
- Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya withdrew from hearing petitions that challenge a prison authorities’ decision requiring the monk to wear prison attire and ask for an order invalidating it. The article gives no reason for the recusal and says a three-judge bench was appointed.14 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Gnanasara Thera’s robes case: Court of Appeal President recuses himself
- After the recusal, Justice Abeysooriya appointed a new three-member bench of Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando to consider the petitions.14 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court president recuses himself from hearing petitions over removal of Gnanasara Thero’s robe
- On 15 October 2026 the bench of Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando, after considering submissions, ordered that the petitions, filed by a group of monks including Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thero, be taken up for consideration on 22 October 2026.15 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Petitions challenging decision to remove Gnanasara Thero’s monastic robes fixed for consideration