New life for Queen Victoria statue in SL

8 August 2013 10:02 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A statue of Queen Victoria which was banished from Sri Lanka's presidential palace amid fears it brought bad luck will now be spruced up for an upcoming Commonwealth summit.

The 1897 statue of the former British monarch seated on a throne had been banished from the palace a few years ago and dumped in the backyard of Colombo's museum.

Museum superintendent Ranjith Hewage said the museum now planned to shift the statue to a better location so that it faced the main road as well as a public park, which was until recently named after her.

"We will turn the statue from its present location to face the road," Hewage told AFP.

"It will be done before the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting)."

He said the statue that marked Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee was moved from its original location to make way for "improvements" at the palace, the official residence of Sri Lanka's heads of state since independence from Britain in 1948.

However, official sources said the move was due to a superstition that the statue was inauspicious for incumbents and brought bad luck.

At least two former presidents are known to have used sorcerers to neutralise the perceived effect of demons at the palace.

Most Sri Lankan presidents have not lived at the palace and only used it to receive visiting dignitaries.

Sri Lanka hosts the November 15-17 meeting of the 54-member Commonwealth, whose members share a common heritage of British colonial rule.

The meeting comes at a time when Sri Lanka is shedding colonial-era street names and renaming thoroughfares after local heroes. (AFP)

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Comments - 23

lal Friday, 09 August 2013 11:08 AM

Why have this symbol of British atrocities and thuggery on show? Dump it in the Indian ocean.

Karunawathie Saturday, 10 August 2013 02:30 AM

Like ot hear Wimal Weerawansa's opinion.

Cobra Saturday, 10 August 2013 02:13 AM

How about restoring Guv. Gregory's road as well?

Punny Pellow Saturday, 10 August 2013 01:27 AM

Will she be annointed our queen before the chogm?

Fusion Friday, 09 August 2013 02:35 PM

Buffaloa said "Sinhalese Buddhism" and not Buddhism itself. As far as Buddhism is concerned there is no such thing as "luck" and any objects associated.

sss Friday, 09 August 2013 02:00 PM

But their kids are all in that country

Fawzan Friday, 09 August 2013 01:20 PM

That is the quality of our leaders.

unchikun Friday, 09 August 2013 01:02 PM

This is typical narrow minded thinking of Sri Lankans. Trying to pass the buck.

unchikun Friday, 09 August 2013 12:59 PM

The Buddhist philosophy is totally against this type of thinking. You are a pinhead.

lalith wijeweera Friday, 09 August 2013 11:34 AM

COLONIAL COUSINS

ANTON Friday, 09 August 2013 11:32 AM

THIS LADY'S BATTALIONS DESTROYED POOR COUNTRIES, INCLUDING SRILANKA.

Citizen Friday, 09 August 2013 11:21 AM

This comment shows how much of a buffalo you are!

Siripala Friday, 09 August 2013 01:18 AM

Stupidity at it's best. How could a cement or marble statue bring ill luck to anyone except?

Roy B. Friday, 09 August 2013 11:06 AM

And you are looking at Jayalalitha and Karunanidi....!

Demon Friday, 09 August 2013 10:29 AM

Keeping all the bad spirit in and around the palace and parliament but blaming the statue.

ravivararo Friday, 09 August 2013 10:06 AM

look at Lord Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam/Tiruvarangam, facing towards lanka.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 09 August 2013 09:39 AM

That is what sinhalese buddhism is all about.

Nihal B.D Friday, 09 August 2013 08:26 AM

How stupid of anyone to think a lump of cement and sand brings bad luck. This is art. For me the living brings bad luck than a statue.

sukirichuti Friday, 09 August 2013 05:52 AM

Act of curry favouring the western countries. They are not so stupid like our leaders to be duped in this manner. The statue to be taken out of sight when it suits the government and to reinstate when the westerners are visiting the country.

Sammy Friday, 09 August 2013 05:40 AM

Won't if bring bad luck to the CHOGM?

Amila.G Friday, 09 August 2013 03:05 AM

Trying their level best to smell good. When it stinks to high heavens .

Throw Tomatoes Friday, 09 August 2013 02:45 AM

Thanks for the laughs!

Nodrog Friday, 09 August 2013 01:32 AM

Its still not going to change the world opinion about the govt's dismal HR record.

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New life for Queen Victoria statue in SL

Comments - 23

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