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No pandals on Vesak, Poson Poya Days: Minister

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30 March 2018 03:30 pm - 28     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Buddhasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said today the government had decided to prohibit pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya Days to stress the need to focus on the spiritual aspect of religion rather than on mundane activities.

He told Daily Mirror that the government had made this decision to safeguard Buddhist principles and encourage Buddhists to engage in spiritual activities during Vesak and Poson.

The minister said this move had also been approved by the Mahanayake Theras.

He said short films based on Jataka stories would be distributed to temples.

The minister said it would be preferable to hold dansals near temples or within temple premises and pointed out that the prohibition on pandals would only apply for specific days and pandals could be put up on other days. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)


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  Comments - 28

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  • suresh Friday, 30 March 2018 04:47 PM

    Good move. Else we have people on bikes wearing masks yelling all the way littering the road - vesak has become a carnival because of this

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 30 March 2018 04:48 PM

    One should not forcefully restrict pandals, that again is not Buddhism, but do best to instill the people to observe true principles of Buddhism as a discipline. Be bold this Wesak and state all that happened in Kandy in the name of Sinhalese Buddhism was actually an insult to Buddhism and good Buddhists should not respect those who use the dhamma for such purposes.

    Jan Friday, 30 March 2018 04:49 PM

    Good decision.

    Hiran Friday, 30 March 2018 04:51 PM

    Why can't the government also similarly say that all parliamentarians will also stop stealing, corruption and do absolutely nothing for the country from May Day onwards?

    BUSGEL Friday, 30 March 2018 06:30 PM

    wow...xactly. this is how people should look at this. This is minister want to show his preesence with a controversial suggestion. Also the mins of the people to divert from economic issues

    Mr Rufus Liyanage Friday, 30 March 2018 05:18 PM

    Vesak has become a commercial event. Good move.

    Brahmadatta Friday, 30 March 2018 05:25 PM

    The goverment is supplying lethal weapons to Rajapakses. All the buddhists would loose the faith on this goverment. If this policy is good the goverment should ban all the beautiful paintings in the temples also. This is a move to distroy buddhism. Devadaththa thero also put forward such a set of demands to Lord Buddha but the Buddha refused such demands.

    vithura Friday, 30 March 2018 05:35 PM

    Excellent move, 'spirituality' that is internal and relates to the 'self' is the most important aspect in everyone's life, regardless of whether one practices is Buddhist, Hindu or any other.way of life.

    ANTON Friday, 30 March 2018 06:49 PM

    BUT .... GREAT LOSS LOSS TO ARTISTS, LIGHT SYSTEM DESIGNERS AND BULB SUPPLIERS.

    CITIZEN Saturday, 31 March 2018 09:23 AM

    But great saving for the national grid which would be welcome in view of the prevailing weather conditions!

    Sunil Friday, 30 March 2018 07:20 PM

    These pandals carried a vital message to the people. They reminded us of the Jathaka stories. I do not think that they should be banned merely because some people are misusing these.

    gregory Friday, 30 March 2018 07:42 PM

    Very excellent move.Please don't change.

    Senewi Friday, 30 March 2018 07:43 PM

    Any link with the "No confidence motion " ?

    Sharon Friday, 30 March 2018 07:44 PM

    Madness. This is a huge blow on our culture. Anyway it will be back after 2020 the latest.

    Unchukun Friday, 30 March 2018 08:53 PM

    Our culture, turn on you TV and Radio easy in the morning and then late in the evening. What do we see and hear. Then the next day in the news it is murder, rape and corruption. Yes, enjoy the pandals. Nice

    Sarath Friday, 30 March 2018 08:28 PM

    Educated people would perceive this as a good move. Unfortunately the majority may think otherwise. Therefore, this move would provide more Veapons to Pohottuwa against the givernment. Somtimes HE the president top would intervene to lift this ban. All in all the net looses of this move would be the UNP.

    Thanos Friday, 30 March 2018 09:58 PM

    You just gave the pohottuwa more ammunition. Besides, Wesak in SL is not really seen as a religious event. It is a cultural event. Erecting pandals, making wesak lanterns, all beautiful the art work are an artistic and cultural expression. If you really want to safeguard buddhism then put actual laws on monks.

    Eds Saturday, 31 March 2018 09:54 AM

    Reconciliation?It's okay, enjoy the last year or so......

    Mohomad Saturday, 31 March 2018 10:12 AM

    Do you know about the three wise monkeys, "See no evils, hear no evils, speak no evils"? Wesak celebration is well rooted in line with Christmas celebration so whether you are against it or for it, you will fall under three wise monkeys sayings.

    Nasser Saturday, 31 March 2018 10:14 AM

    It's fodder to Pohottuwa! The opposition will go to town with this foolish move. First and foremost the masses should be educated to shun wastage, for that to happen the politicians must set an example! - which is unthinkable in this 'wonder of Asia'

    indika Saturday, 31 March 2018 10:41 AM

    pandal is an 'Aloka Poojawa' according to my little knowledge.(correct me if i am wrong) you cannot prohibit that.but what government should do and is the responsibility is that the people adhere to the laws governing the country.no paradesno riding without helmutsrestrict gatherings to peaceful observancessince government fail to implement the law they come up with this controversial idea. not done Mr.Minister. have the guts to maintain the law and order.

    TONY Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:10 PM

    THIS IS A BRAVE MOVE. NO ONE WILL TAKE SUCH A DECISION. MANY MORE BRAVE DECISIONS HAVE TO BE TAKEN AGAINST MONKS WHO ARE A DISGRACE TO LORD BUDDHA

    hans perlee Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:14 PM

    Another move that only shows the Government is Buddhist only in name. Like Buddha himself said, politics corrupts the brain. That's why he stayed away from politics.

    Hassanda Saturday, 31 March 2018 01:47 PM

    Great News

    Ranjith Bala Saturday, 31 March 2018 05:44 PM

    Why don't they build a house for a poor family in each area where pandals come up traditionally.The minister is too old for the job.They should set a retirement age for ministers. They are too old to drive a car but can make decisions for the country,

    Ranjith Saturday, 31 March 2018 05:47 PM

    Bigg loss for the tourism industry. Many people all over the world come to see this event. Do not mess with peoples' freedom.

    Surath Monday, 02 April 2018 11:00 PM

    Why did they erect the largest Christmas tree at Galle face last year! Nobody remember now.

    rathna Wednesday, 04 April 2018 03:39 PM

    is it banned only Wesak day?If it is so ,anyone can create thorana on day after wesak poya days.


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