Jan 25, Colombo: Stakeholders of Sri
Lanka's tourism industry have expressed concerns that the rising Buddhist
extremism in the country may affect the booming industry.
Kalutara magistrate yesterday remanded two managers
of Cinnamon Bay Hotel of Moragalla, Beruwala in the Western Province for
allegedly organizing a Buddha Bar event.
Hotel management says that the event was organized
on a request of a French team of tourists arrived in the island vying for high
end European market through Walkers' Tours. The organizers say that the event
had no use of Buddha image.
But Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the leader of the
Buddhist extremist group Bodu Bala Sena that
illegally raided the hotel and threatened before media cameras to suspend the
event, says that the menu of the party was named as Nirvana, a Sanskrit word
used in Buddhism.
Sri Lanka has set a target of 1.3 million tourist
arrivals for 2013 and trying to cater to the high end European market through
liberal actions.
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CHAPTER II -
BUDDHISM
Buddhism.
9. The Republic of Sri
Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the
duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all
religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).
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