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Lanka to lobby against controversial film

Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando responding to an adjournment motion told Parliament yesterday that Sri Lanka will lobby Buddhist countries against the controversial film 'In the Name of the Buddha.'

"The Government will take up the matter through diplomatic channels with other Buddhist countries who would be deeply offended by the film," the Minister stressed.

Sri Lanka is initially to hold discussions with Japan, Thailand and India and will talk to other Buddhist countries in order to campaign against the public release of the film, Minister Fernando said.

"Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in London Faisz Musthapa will be addressing the Heads of Missions of India, Thailand, Japan and several other Buddhist countries based in London, with regard to the content of the film", he said.

He will also meet the leading Buddhist clergy and Sri Lankan associations based in UK over the film which is a South Indian Production.

Musthapa, under the instructions of Minister Fernando, has already sought an appointment from Dr. Kim Howells, Minister of Tourism, Film and Broadcasting to convey Sri Lanka's concerns over the issue. The Deputy High Commissioner Kshenuka Seneviratne has already called on Keith Gibbins, Head of Film Department of Culture, Media and Sport in London to express Sri Lanka's concerns with regard to the content and footage of the film.

Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo, under the instruction of Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando took up the matter with the Norwegians after it was shown shortly before the 'Support Sri Lanka' meeting.

The festival itself had been partly funded by the Norwegian Government, but the selection of the films had been done by an independent committee, Minister Fernando said.

The Norwegian Government has stated that it does not in anyway condone the content of the film which was considered deeply offensive to Buddhists. It was not possible however, for the Norwegian Government to halt the screening of the film by private organisations, he added.

Ven. Baddegama Samitha (PA) moving the motion said: A film named "In the Name of the Buddha" had been screened in Oslo at an International Film Festival on November 17, 2002. The same film had again been screened on December 19 in London as well. This film has ridiculed and humiliated the Buddha and caused an insult to the World Buddhist community. This film has created great pain in the minds of Buddhists. We want to know what action the Government is going to take against this film.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs A. H. M. Azwer, Minister Assisting Foreign Affairs Lal Gamage, PA MP T. B. Ekanayake, UNP MPs Ravindra Randeniya and Sanjeewa Kaviratne also spoke.

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