Sri Lanka police launch investigation after wedding shoot angers Sinhala Buddhists

by admin
Sep 10, 2024

Sri Lanka police have launched an investigation into a wedding pre-shoot, after a couple had taken photos inside the Sri Dalada Maligawa, angering the island’s Sinhala Buddhists. 

A photograph from the offending pre-wedding shoot.

Sri Lanka police have launched an investigation into a wedding pre-shoot, after a couple had taken photos inside the Sri Dalada Maligawa, angering the island’s Sinhala Buddhists. 

The Kandy police said they have launched an investigation into a pre-wedding photoshoot involving actor Devnaka Porage and musician Hashini Wedanda at the temple.  

It was reported that a pre-shoot had taken place at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, which according to the temple and the Sri Lankan police is a ‘form of disrespect’.  

Police officers at the temple had reportedly advised the crew to stop the shoot, but a person claiming to be a senior figure had arrived and instructed them to continue. The pre-shoot had reportedly taken place in various parts of the temple and temple grounds. Images of the couple were shared on social media, with many Sinhala Buddhists users calling it an “insult”.  

The custodian of the temple, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara claimed that he informed the police after learning about the incident. Reports also suggest that the police had advised the photographer to visit the Kandy police station to give a statement. Several Buddhist organizations expressed concern, warning that such actions ‘could offend and are a sign of disrespect’, adding that legal action must be taken against those involved. 

This is not the first time that Sri Lankan police have launched such investigations over ‘disrespecting Buddhism’. 

 A few years ago, a British tourist was denied entry into Sri Lanka for having a tattoo of Buddha, while on another occasion two men were arrested for selling T-shirts that reportedly had the motif of the Sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. On another occasion, Sri Lankan police detained an Indian citizen from Tamil Nadu who was on a family holiday on the island for wearing a dress with the image of Buddha on it. 

Sri Lanka’s constitution continues to give “first and foremost” place to Buddhism as a religion. 

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