Police will record a statement from Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila over his allegation that the robes of Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera were forcibly removed at Welikada Prison, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the weekly briefing on Cabinet decisions, Jayatissa said an investigation would follow a complaint lodged by prison authorities. It would seek to establish whether the alleged incident took place and, if so, in what circumstances.
Gammanpila told a media conference in Colombo that he visited the monk at Welikada Prison on 8 October at the monk’s request. He alleged that prison officials tried to dress the Thera in a prison jumpsuit and that the robes were removed under pressure from the leadership of the National People’s Power (NPP), despite the monk’s objections. These are Gammanpila’s allegations and have not been verified.
“Gammanpila can now reveal during the investigation what he said, saw and heard,” Jayatissa said.
Police are expected to record Gammanpila’s statement as the investigation begins.
