Sri Lanka concerned over ‘Buddha bars’: Report

The Sri Lankan Government has shown deep concern over what are called ‘Buddha Bars’ in international restaurants, states the BBC’s Thamil Osai.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister has said that activities to demean Buddhism are being carried in these restaurants and has urged the island’s foreign missions to collect more information on such places, the report further adds.

Headquartered in Paris, this chain of restaurants has branches in cities like Dubai,New York and Sharm al Sheik in Egypt.

Large images of the Buddha have been prominently displayed in almost all these restaurants, according to reports.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne has stated that he had heard that patrons to these restaurants consume liquor, dance and make merry around these Buddha statues and that he was deeply concerned of the disrespect shown to the founder of Buddhism.

The Sri Lankan Government raises its voice on behalf of religion of the majority community in the island, states the BBC correspondent in Colombo.

Angered over the display of a Buddha image near a swimming pool where foreign youth were displayed enjoying themselves, the Sri Lankan Government banned a recent concert by international rap artiste Akon scheduled to be held in Colombo.