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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 20:04:00
31 March 2018 11:05 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The National Freedom Front (NFF) today urged the government to withdraw its decision to prohibit pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya Days without underestimating the Buddhists in the country and claimed it was an unwise decision.
The government yesterday 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.
NFF leader and MP Wimal Weerawansa said the erecting of pandals was not inappropriate on Vesak and Poson Poya Days because it was one of the main ways to convey the meaning of religion to people especially for children.
“Buddhists usually engage in religious and spiritual activities in the daytime on Vesak and Poson Poya Days and visit Pandals in the night. Nobody has requested to prohibit pandals on these Poya Days though requests have been made to prohibit private tuition classes on Sunday mornings to allow students attend Sunday schools,” he said.
Mr. Weerawansa said the government was attempting to undermine Buddhist culture and asked on what basis the government was prohibiting pandals on these Poya Days despite the same government constructing the tallest artificial Christmas tree though it was disapproved by Colombo's Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)
Jaliya Saturday, 31 March 2018 11:19 AM
We don't need pandals, we don't need tallest christmas tree and we don't need you telling anything either... its all a waste eventually ends up in garbage ... similar to what comes out of your mouth.
Deva Saturday, 31 March 2018 03:55 PM
I’m a Tamil and I’ve no problem with Vesak pandas, but if its’s to be banned ALL religious pandas also should be banned.
ANTON Saturday, 31 March 2018 11:27 AM
LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER REFERENDUM IS COMING CLOSER........ DO YOU LIKE PANDALS OR NOT.
Kumara Dharmarathne Saturday, 31 March 2018 11:36 AM
Hello,Mr. Wimal Weerawansa,according to Minister, he has only made a request and no one has banned as you claimed. However, can you remember in the recent past you had asked all Sri Lankan Buddhists not to hoist Buddhist flag. You are a real joker.
Unchikun Saturday, 31 March 2018 11:45 AM
Hey man, Buddhism is a philosophy and not pandals.
roshan Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:19 PM
widesha kumathiranayak..
johan Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:20 PM
Erecting the Christmas tree and Pandals are utter wastage of money only.Preference must be given to spend the money for Religious activities such as meditation, helping the poorest of the poor,helping the underprivileged children without parents etc. There is still more needy people.Some politicians guide the people in wrong way with these customary activities This is not yielding any fruits in the minds of the people
dasa Sunday, 01 April 2018 10:46 PM
the more waste happens, the merrier is Wimale. There survival depends on the poor uneducated people who go to see Wesak pandals as a type of entertainment.
ANTON Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:30 PM
I THINK HE IS THE BEST PANDAL EVER (WITH HIS WIFE) TO BE DISPLAYED TO THE PUBLIC ........ PASS PORT JAATHAKA KATHAAVA .......
Docuk Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:33 PM
These politicians have no idea about the real meaning of any religion specially this muppet.
Ruwan Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:36 PM
SL is fast becoming a nanny state where you have uneducated politicians instead of focusing on more important things like reducing the cost of living, tackling unemployment, rural development etc. come up some stupid idea to show that they are doing something.
Saman Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:45 PM
Government has no rights to put restrictions on how the public going to spend their holidays. Going every day to a temple does not make a person good Buddhist. It's how he/she decide to spend his/her life undertaking the five precepts. Also, the people who choose to bring these bans usually spend their Wesak Holidays in London, Paris, New York, and other supper luxury locations,
Be Fair Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:56 PM
Agree, they should ban you
Ryan Saturday, 31 March 2018 01:18 PM
This clueless government is searching for direction but they further go down
Ceylon Saturday, 31 March 2018 01:39 PM
To say this are you buddhist ??. Are you vegetarian ??.are you not a rober ??.
maiyaa Sunday, 01 April 2018 03:43 PM
He eats Lemon Puff ...does that count as vegetarian? :P
Independent Saturday, 31 March 2018 02:23 PM
WELL SAID WIMAL!
Kerching Saturday, 31 March 2018 03:44 PM
And yet again he seeks publicity....this man must struggle to chew gum and walk at the same time ..if stupidity were a currency he,d be a rich man
Kumara Saturday, 31 March 2018 03:48 PM
Government didn't say anything like that
Jayampahi Saturday, 31 March 2018 03:56 PM
Mr Weerawansa pl do not meddle with Christian festivals.I like to remind you that 'Christmas tree' is the brain child of the leader of the Protestant revolution in Germany .ie. Rev. Dr Martin Luther. It represent the eternal life.Whether Gall Face Christmas Tree tallest or dwarf it represents the essence of Protestant revolution!I once again kindly urge you not to meddle with Christian affairs!!
Buddhist Saturday, 31 March 2018 06:06 PM
Idiots only can make idiotic statements. Government has clearly stated that there is no ban on pandals. FAKE NEWS.
S.P.RAMKUMAR Saturday, 31 March 2018 06:30 PM
Veask is a holy day which must be respectfully and traditionally celebrated in this Land without questionable, Lord Buddha is the grate person in this world. Vibration of his superior mind is still blessing us.
Coomaraswamy Saturday, 31 March 2018 07:55 PM
Once again the degenerate and morally bankrupt UNP/SLFP coalition is infringing on the rights of Buddhists. Next they will suppress Hindu festivals too. Meanwhile radical Sharia Muslims can do whatever the hell they want, even disregarding the Sri Lankan judicial system in favor of their own religious laws. Wimal is a corrupt piece of s**t but I agree with him on this. This is similar to the Marxist liberal Western countries suppression of Christian culture (like in Sweden, UK and Germany). This is a part of a symptom of the attack on religion and to promote state atheism/secularism like the communists and Nazis did back in the day. All of us Sri Lankans should reject this ridiculous ban. It's an infringement of the freedom of religious expression. we will never vote this unholy UNP government into power again. Even dictator Rajapaksha did a better job than this. Go home Ranil!
Banda Sunday, 01 April 2018 08:15 AM
'Yamang Wansa Vesak balanna'!!!
Hubert Sunday, 01 April 2018 05:13 PM
He is breathing lies not Oxygen
Lyn Monday, 02 April 2018 06:12 PM
Totally agree with Coomaraswamy's' comments. Couldn't have put it any better!!!! Spot on!!
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