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Three-judge bench constituted to hear Gnanasara Thera robe removal petitions

The Supreme Court has established a three-judge bench to hear petitions concerning the removal of monastic robes from Gnanasara Thera. The development marks a significant procedural step in the ongoing legal matter involving the prominent Buddhist monk.

LSN Sri Lanka · 15 October 2026

A three-judge bench has been appointed by the Supreme Court to adjudicate petitions related to the robe removal of Gnanasara Thera, a senior figure within Sri Lanka's Buddhist religious hierarchy. The constitution of the bench represents a formal acknowledgement of the case's complexity and significance within the country's legal framework.

The petitions, which centre on the removal or retention of monastic robes, touch upon sensitive matters concerning religious authority, monastic discipline, and institutional governance within the Sangha. The establishment of a bench comprising three judges indicates that the Supreme Court views the matter as requiring substantial judicial consideration and precedential importance.

Details regarding the specific grounds of the petitions and the timeline for hearings remain to be clarified. The appointment of the bench signals that proceedings will move forward through structured legal channels, allowing all parties involved to present their respective positions before the judiciary.

The case continues to draw attention given Gnanasara Thera's standing within Buddhist circles in Sri Lanka. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the judiciary's role in addressing disputes that intersect with religious institutions and matters of monastic governance.