Monks urge ban on 'commercial programmes' on Poson Day

Street shows meant for profit-making and entertainment overshadow the sacred meaning of the festival, they say

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Buddhist monks have urged the government to ban commercial entertainment programmes, which violate Buddhist principles, during an annual festival commemorating the arrival of Buddhism on the island nation in the Indian Ocean centuries ago, according ot a report published by UCAN.

The monks said street dancing, folk performances, musical shows, comic acts, devil dances and haunted house exhibitions contradict Buddhist values. They lack religious significance and overshadow the sacred meaning of Poson Day.

The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Poson — the seventh month in the Sinhalese calendar — which falls on June 10 this year. It marks the historic event in the 3rd century BC when Buddhist missionary monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale, near Anuradhapura, and delivered his first sermon.