COLOMBO – In a significant escalation of tensions between the ecclesiastical leadership and the state, the Most Venerable Ittapana Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thera of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha has declared that no secular authority has the right to strip a Buddhist monk of his robes.
Speaking during a meeting with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on October 10, the Mahanayake Thera asserted that the power to discipline or disrobe a member of the clergy lies exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Sangha. The remarks come amidst growing controversy surrounding the treatment of a specific monk, a member of the Kotte Sangha Sabha, whose status has become a flashpoint for constitutional and religious debate.
“Only Buddhist monks have the authority to remove the robes of a fellow monk,” the Mahanayake Thera stated firmly. “If the robes are not removed [by the Sangha], the situation can be endured, but no one has the right to forcibly disrobe him.”
The prelate expressed deep dissatisfaction regarding the lack of due process, noting that the Kotte Sangha Sabha—of which he is the head—was completely bypassed before action was taken against the monk in question. He defended the individual, describing him as an eloquent speaker and a respected preacher of the Dhamma.
According to the Mahanayake Thera, the frustration over this perceived encroachment is widespread. He claimed that 99 percent of Buddhist monks representing Sri Lanka’s three main Nikayas oppose the punitive measures recently enacted.
“If such a decision was being taken, they should have at least consulted the Kotte Sangha Sabha,” he said, signaling a breakdown in communication between the religious hierarchy and the government.
The Mahanayake Thera confirmed that he has officially written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to express his grievances and has requested a formal audience to discuss the matter further. Emphasizing the historical significance of Sri Lanka as a Buddhist nation, the Mahanayake Thera reiterated that the protection of the Sasana is both a duty and a solemn responsibility, warning that state interference in religious matters risks upsetting the delicate balance between civil law and monastic tradition.
The Opposition Leader’s visit to the Kotte chapter highlights the political dimension of the standoff, as the administration faces increasing pressure to clarify its stance on the autonomy of religious institutions. As of press time, the President’s Office has not yet announced a confirmed date for the meeting, leaving the Sangha leadership awaiting a response on a matter they characterize as a fundamental challenge to the sanctity of the robe.
The situation remains fluid as religious leaders await a formal reply from the administration, with the Mahanayake Thera standing firm on the principle that the internal affairs of the priesthood must remain free from state overreach.
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