Sri Lanka High Commission initiates action against use of Buddha images for

commercial purposes in the UK

The Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom invited representatives of
Thailand, Myanmar and Nepal embassies to discuss the issue of using Buddha
images for commercial purposes. Thida Aung, Minister Counsellor of Myanmar
Embassy, Rutchabhoom Boonrawd, First Secretary of Thailand Embassy and
Khimanand Bhusal, Attache of Nepal Embassy attended the meeting held on
15.02.2011 at the High Commission premises. The discussion centred on the
restaurant in operation in Fulham area of London by the name of ‘Greedy Buddha’,
serving Nepalese food.

It was agreed that all embassies should take individual as well as collective action
in this regard. The embassy officials who attended the meeting agreed to persuade
their respective religious and cultural organizations in the UK to write to the owner
of the restaurant expressing their concerns. The Nepalese embassy will mobilise its
expatriates and priests against the using of Lord Buddha’s name in an insulting
manner and requested all the other embassy representatives to follow suit.

Mr Saman Ekanayake, Minister (Cultural and Education) Mr Chaminda Kularatne

(Consular Affairs), Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission
represented Sri Lanka at the discussion. The meeting which is a preamble to take
collective action by Buddhist countries against commercialization of Buddha
images is an initiative of Acting High Commissioner P M Amza.

High Commission of Sri Lanka

London

16 February 2011

from (20/01/11): http://www.slhclondon.org/