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| Saturday, 18 December 2004 |
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Several Buddhist Organisations said yesterday they were disturbed by the incidents at the Sharuk Khan show last Saturday. The organisations in a release said: "We are deeply disturbed by the incidents that led to and took place on the day of the musical show by Sharuk Khan and his group at the Old Colombo Racecourse grounds on December 11, 2004 in the name of the Most Venerable Soma Thera. Every citizen of this country has a fundamental right to the freedom of speech, expression and assembly on matters that are connected inter alia with his religion or culture. However it is most important that everyone realises that such freedom be excused with utmost concern for public order and respect for the rights and freedoms of others, among other things. After considering all the circumstances relating to the above mentioned musical show which we do not wish to enumerate here, we are of the view that those who opposed this show have, without giving thought to the appropriateness of the time and place for their protests have exceeded reasonably acceptable limits for expressing such opposition, and due to a lack of due foresight, created an environment for a group of criminals to step into disrupt the show by acts of violence and murders which every citizen in those country must condemns this unreservedly. The anti Buddhist lobby has been given a golden opportunity to bring disrepute to Buddhists. The involvement of certain members of the sangha in some of these activities has brought discredit to the Buddha Sasana. Ven. Soma Thera who fought relentlessly to protect Buddhism and to re-establish a righteous society in this country would never have condoned the extreme degree to which these protests were carried. On behalf of the members of our organisations and a large section of the like thinking Buddhist public we extend our apologies to Sharuk Khan and his group and deeply sympathise with the families of the two innocent victims who lost their lives in the bomb attack. We request the High Commissioner for India to convey our sentiments to the Indian performers at the show." The release was issued by Gamini Perera, Bauddha Sanrakshaka Sanvidanaya, Indrani Devendra, All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress, Wimala Somaratne, National Council of Buddhist Women's and Karuna de Silva, Dhamma teacher. |
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