Mahanayaka calls Kandy night races ‘Nonsense’

17 March 2012 06:48 am - 47 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya chapter the most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero lashed out at the proposed Kandy night races stating that it was ‘nonsense causing much distress to the public’. The Mahanayaka Thero made these remarks when he met media representatives at the Asgiri Maha Viharaya.

“ I condemn the conducting of night races by harassing the public of Kandy, the whole of the Kandy town has been filled with sand bags, there is no space for movement of pedestrians and the roads of this small town are to be closed from this evening” The Maha Nayaka said.

The Thero went on to state that none of the officials seem to be aware of the night races, “ I spoke to the President and he told me that he wasn’t aware of the races, I contacted the District Secretary who also wasn’t aware of these races that are conducted on the whims and fancies of some politicians” he said.
T
he most Venerable Thero also said that the media seems to be failing in its duty to the people. “When any other small thing happens in Kandy the media is all agog, but when an issue of this magnitude arises all of them are silent. I want to know why your’ are silent on an issue that has caused a lot of harassing to the general public?” the Thero asked. (J.A.L Jayasinghe)

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Comments - 47

CJ Sunday, 18 March 2012 07:33 AM

Don’t be so narrow minded. Whatever religion, leaders there to act behalf of people and society. Not only just to fight their own rights.

yapa Sunday, 18 March 2012 01:55 AM

Media and Mahanayakes all responsible for the mess in the Country.They all talk now, Opportunists.

samantha Sunday, 18 March 2012 02:09 AM

Rev Sir - Pl dont object to showcasing the ASCHARIYAMATH SRI LANKAVA to the world

SALIYA WICKREMASURIY Sunday, 18 March 2012 03:02 AM

This really is a matter of the Temple. Preaching is all about social realities. Realization of Nirvana is the end result of a good moral and social life.

Matalan Sunday, 18 March 2012 03:41 AM

In a country bursting at its seems with high COL, crime, corruption, political thuggery etc. all we need at night are races and casinos. That should fill a few fat bellies!

Matalan Sunday, 18 March 2012 03:51 AM

Excellent idea Dinu! Even better if they cut an underground route starting from Bogambara and branching off mid-way towards Mahaiyawa and Buwelikada. Will save lots of fuel etc.

Sudath Sri Sunday, 18 March 2012 04:35 AM

Ape hamuduruwane ob wahanse thawa boho kal dharma deshana karathwa. sadhu sadhu sadhu.

vigil Sunday, 18 March 2012 05:16 AM

be careful when playing with politicians. your good heart will become bad soon.

Rohith Sunday, 18 March 2012 06:00 AM

It is nonsense to criticize such spectacular event. I dont know or care whether there is presidents son involved in this. Whoever did this, it is great irrespective of political orientation. It is good to organize such event so that it can generate lot of revenue thru local and foreign tourism. If u open up eyes, u can see cities in the world do organize various events to attract revenue and good name. Anyway due to this outcry I'm sure president will put a full-stop to this great event just to get cheap publicity

Jb Sunday, 18 March 2012 06:46 AM

I don't see any wrong side of this. People like races alot. It is a new thing to kandy. This is the 2nd time it came to kandy. Why do they think like that? If you were there, you could see the crowd which was gathering round. People needs a change. There will be some traffic or something harassing to the public but lot of them enjoyed it. I think this is awesome. I can't believe that president didn't know about it. What a pity!!!
Night Races are simply AWESOME...!!! :)

Vernon Sunday, 18 March 2012 07:29 AM

No need to resort to any such expensive venture. Just open the National Road, Kandy - Maiyangana road going alongside Maligawa, which is still closed after years of defeating terrorism causing hardships to thousands daily.

hiru Sunday, 18 March 2012 07:23 AM

If the Kandy Night races are disturbing the public because of road closures sound and light pollution going towards the night so is the Kandy perahara which causes road closures and disturb the public ... Don't you agree ...?

Sira Saturday, 17 March 2012 10:08 PM

what Kandy needs today is some more roads. Kandy is the worst town in Sri Lanka. Please expand existing roads and build more roads as people are getting killed everyday due to lack of space on the roads. That is what people in Kandy want.

DN Sunday, 18 March 2012 07:49 AM

Even Farhter don't know Son's work.

kassa Sunday, 18 March 2012 07:53 AM

Everybody known that really nonsense especially this situation. "APE AYATA NAWA GILUNATH BAAN CHOON NE"

oora Sunday, 18 March 2012 09:00 AM

I dont know what the fuss. During the perehara kandy is almost unbearable. all that noise pollution. disruption of traffic etc. It creates a 'lot of 'distress' for us.
The night races are just following that tradition..thats all

AMT Sunday, 18 March 2012 10:30 AM

Bhikkus Holding placards and walking through the streets leading to USA embassy office is worse than the road race

Ami Sunday, 18 March 2012 12:34 PM

Well said Saliya and CJ ! There is a high tendency that we mite not be able to go freely on the road in the very near future !

roshan London Sunday, 18 March 2012 12:24 PM

opening of tourism will open thattttttttttttttt toooooo,

dnk Sunday, 18 March 2012 02:48 PM

Fisrt Kandy doesnt need any attraction, it already has it. May be you are not live in kandy. If you ask from a pedestrian or a businessman in kandy he ll tell you how attractive it is.

TruePatriot Sunday, 18 March 2012 07:44 PM

unpopular comment, but i do see your point :)

Sulang Monday, 19 March 2012 02:00 AM

Introducing new things just because other countries are doing so is stupid. We should do things which are in line with our traditions, culture and indigenous to this country to attract tourists not copy what other countries are doing. If car races are necessary, have it by all means in a proper location but not at the expense of inconveniencing general public. You may not be interested in knowing who is organizing this but do you know or interested in finding out where the revenue goes..

Sadarana Kota Monday, 19 March 2012 08:50 AM

Why only Night races...what about other stuff,...Pls ask them to get Involed in those as well..

Sadarana Kota Monday, 19 March 2012 08:52 AM

Well said...

Jack Back Saturday, 17 March 2012 03:34 PM

This has nothing to do with the President's sons. It is organized by a club and the same races were conducted last year too during the world cup with great success. The roads are closed at 9pm to 4am and opened in between for public movement. If the races are an inconvenience to the public, they should not come to witness it but instead there is over 35,000 people witnessing it this evening.

Coconut Donkey Saturday, 17 March 2012 07:03 AM

There is a Kandy night race as well? Didn't have a clue about it..

saj Saturday, 17 March 2012 07:19 AM

so obvious that the president is lying. How would he not know what his son is doing?

Granite Paashaana Saturday, 17 March 2012 07:28 AM

Relieved to see there are a few great sons of mother Lanka, who still have a back bone. People should rally around the Mahanayaka Thero.

Upul Saturday, 17 March 2012 07:15 AM

Politician fathers have to make their Son's happy too.

By the way can any Meida perosn kindly ask Ven Mahanayaka about the " Sanga Saba" they were to counduct about 2 years ago??

Ajantha Saturday, 17 March 2012 07:50 AM

Dear Thero, President doesnst know but his son,
We live in a banana republic.

De Silva Saturday, 17 March 2012 07:54 AM

Our people want night races because they are fulfill with other
needs like food,shelter,medical & education. All are mats

Tharaka Chanaka Saturday, 17 March 2012 07:41 AM

President should ask his son

Rajitha Saturday, 17 March 2012 08:07 AM

a night race in kandy?
wow that would be super awesome!

Channa Saturday, 17 March 2012 08:11 AM

What about the political rallies that cause much more distress to the public in Colombo during DAY TIME.

Udeni Jayath Senevir Saturday, 17 March 2012 03:20 PM

I hate this event. President is a lyer too. he is becoming very very unpopular day by day.

Ravin Saturday, 17 March 2012 03:22 PM

People will rally later to get disappointed, remember SF episode where the mahasangha wanted to call a huge rally...what a laughing stock it was.

PREM Saturday, 17 March 2012 06:52 AM

Who will take reaposiblity and do something on this matter.

lara31 Saturday, 17 March 2012 04:12 PM

Who can stop the so called President's son??? The Mahanayaka ...I guess not....

Nihal Saturday, 17 March 2012 04:15 PM

Nothing wrong for a change, This is not a matter for the temple.

Bola Baba Saturday, 17 March 2012 04:39 PM

Suggest we have these night races around the Temple near the Bera Lake. I am sure the event will be welcome. Ha!

Marawila. Saturday, 17 March 2012 04:42 PM

It's not new that President has been keeping lying... Any sensible person can understand it...

udaya Saturday, 17 March 2012 04:56 PM

Shame on thos who could even think of this sort of thing when fuel prices are up and the country is contemplating rationing of fuel due to international crisis.

Dinu Saturday, 17 March 2012 04:47 PM

Ven Prelate,
Appreciate thinking about public. Its laughing President unaware of this. Tell him to ask from his son & not to fool prelates & public.
Pl ask President to cut an underground route from Queen's Hotel to Buwelikada to avoid heavy traffic, save fuel costs, time,energy, noise & air pollution by thousands of vehicles that grinding around lake 24/7 days. You can help lot towards nation & country beside religion.

Mahroof Saturday, 17 March 2012 05:11 PM

Mahroof
we should appreciate the Mahanayaka for his concern about public's welfare.

hari Saturday, 17 March 2012 06:06 PM

But there shoukd be something for the young in Kandy town. Not only temples. Youngsters are depreesed and have nothing much to do in Kandy. There should be some lively events for the young too. If anyone do not like races, recommend and organise something filled with fun for the young.

sena Saturday, 17 March 2012 06:16 PM

Sir, improper application of law and order is a much verse problem

Nimal Saturday, 17 March 2012 09:32 PM

I had to shut dopwn my bussiness early in Kandy due this.

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Mahanayaka calls Kandy night races ‘Nonsense’

Comments - 47

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