News
|
||||
Desecration
of Buddha image continues even after protests by Sri Lanka
Though Sainbury's supermarkets initially apologised to the people of Sri Lanka for the offending commercialisation of the Buddha, it is continuing to market the same tea packets at their stores. Last week High Commissioner Faisz Musthapha followed up his earlier protest with another saying that he was disappointed that reports are still reaching him that the sales of these packets have not ceased. "I wish to reiterate that recourse to the image of the Buddha in this manner is deeply offensive to the religious susceptibilities of Buddhists and is not countenanced by right thinking persons of other faiths as well." "I urge therefore that this practice be discontinued forthwith," High Commissioner Musthapha wrote. "I have taken cognizance of the issue of 'print commitments' and 'pack stocks' referred to by you. However, if it is thereby intended that the impugned sales will be continued until the present consignment of cartons is exhausted, the apology would be a hollow gesture devoid of any appreciable effect," he rebuked Sainbury's chairman Sir Peter Davies. Saying that this might not have been the intention, Mr Musthapha has, however, suggested the immediate suspension of sales in the present form and the tea be sold in an alternative packing. As a reminder to Sir Peter about how others in similar circumstances have acted, the High Commissioner drew his attention to the prompt action of the Colombian company Ondademar which immediately withdrew its women's garments with Buddha images after international protests. "I trust that your company would also take equally prompt and meaningful action, as otherwise I am certain that Buddhists will continue to feel outraged at what they would rightly perceive as being demeaning to their faith." |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
