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Sangha demands written commitment from President's Secretary on protest decision

Buddhist monks participating in the 'Freedom Foot March' have rejected a verbal assurance from a Presidential Secretariat official regarding their petition, calling instead for a formal written statement with a specific timeline from the Secretary to the President.

LSN Sri Lanka · 15 October 2026

Sangha demands written commitment from President's Secretary on protest decision

Members of the Maha Sangha staged a protest after a representative from the Presidential Secretariat informed them that a decision on their request would be delivered within one month. The monks, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the informal nature of the commitment and demanded greater clarity and accountability from the government.

The religious community has insisted on receiving an official statement directly from the Secretary to the President that specifies an exact date by which their concerns will be addressed. This written commitment, the monks argued, would provide them with a concrete timeline and demonstrate the government's serious consideration of their demands.

The dispute reflects broader tensions between the Buddhist clergy and the administration over the handling of the monks' petition. The Sangha has emphasized the need for formal, documented responses to their concerns rather than verbal assurances delivered through intermediaries.

The 'Freedom Foot March' has emerged as a significant religious and political mobilization effort in recent weeks, with the participating monks using the march to draw attention to their grievances and push for government action on unresolved issues.