Poya Days, Sundays: Bill banning tuition classes presented to parliament

The Holidays (Amendment) Bill, which prohibits tuition classes on Poya Days and Sundays, was presented to parliament today.

The Bill was presented by Opposition MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who said it would be in the form of a private member’s Bill.

According to the proposed Bill -- conducting tuition classes and facilitating such classes at any premises or any location will be prohibited till 3.00 pm on Full Moon Poya Days and on Sundays.

It also provides provisions to subject any person who commits an offence to a fine no less than Rs.10,000.

Several religious leaders led by the Buddhist clergy have been for a long time lobbying for the banning of tuition classes on Poya days and Sundays. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)