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Pandals and dansal: Minister says no ban at Vesak, Poson
View(s):Buddha Sasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera yesterday reiterated a request for the public to avoid exhibiting pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya days as the practice prevented mainly young people from taking part in religious observances during Poya evenings but said he never called for a ban.
Minister Perera told the Sunday Times yesterday that he had never announced a ‘ban’ on pandals and dansals during Vesak and Poson Poya days. “You can’t announce such a ban without Cabinet approval and I have not made any such proposal to Cabinet,” he stressed.
The Minister, however, pointed out that crowds at temples thin out dramatically towards evenings on those two Poya days as many people, especially the young,
leave to go and see pandals and other decorations. “Most temples are left with just a few Upasaka Ammas. That is why we are asking people to refrain from exhibiting pandals on those two Poya days only, and leave room for religious activities at the temple.”Following media reports that the Minister had called for a ban, the Government Information Department issued a statement on Friday night clarifying the position saying there is no ban.
Minister Perera also said the Ministry had no issue with dansal operating on Vesak and Poson Poya days as many shops are closed during that day and pilgrims, especially those coming to holy sites in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa needed to be fed. “What we are asking is that people hold off on exhibiting pandals for just that one day and start exhibiting them from the following day,” he explained.
He said his Ministry has a plan to distribute to all Buddhist temples DVDs containing five films on topics such as the suffering of elders and the drug menace. These films will be shown in the evenings at the temple, after which, a dialogue can be held among those present and the Buddhist monks on these subjects. “These films are especially catered to young people and we would like them to be present at temples to facilitate these discussions,” he added.
This was one among a number of programmes that the Ministry hopes to implement among the temples to facilitate closer cooperation between the temple and the village, the Minister said. A national plan outlining such programmes to the Cabinet before April 20, he said.
He added all such decisions were taken based on recommendations made by a council consisting of senior Buddhist prelates.