News

News

Don't degrade Buddha image, Kadir tells Asian countries
Foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar has sought cooperation from Asian countries in pursuing action at an international level to prevent the degrading use of the Buddha image for commercial gain.

The minister had handed over letters personally addressed by him to the ambassadors of China, Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Republic of Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Myanmar, referring to the exploitation of the Buddha image for commercial purposes.

Mr. Kadirgamar has informed the diplomatic representatives that the Sri Lankan embassies in their respective countries would be in constant touch with the respective foreign ministries to exchange information about the commercial use of the Buddha image.

The ambassadors have agreed to communicate with their respective missions and UNESCO in Paris to work together to request UNESCO to bring to the notice of the international community the commercial exploitation of the Buddha image, urging that concerted international action be taken to persuade manufacturers of such items to desist from advertisements that are deeply offensive to Buddhists all over the world.

Top

Back to News