'No Olu Bakko, music during Vesak'

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratna has directed all police stations not to allow Olu Bakko Mask Dancing or amplified sounds of base music and songs during the Vesak season from May 5 to 11, so as to ensure that the festival of Vesak is observed by all Sri Lankans in its true spirit.

Police will deploy special teams to arrest illicit liquor sellers during the entire Vesak week, said IGP Wickramaratna.

The IGP has instructed all police personnel to advise the organisers of Vesak pandols and Dan Salas, to refrain from transmitting songs that disturb the spirit of Vesak and Buddhist morals over their amplifiers or loudspeakers at pandols and Dansalas.

They have been instructed broadcast songs related to the Buddhist culture and Vesak environment at all times.

IGP Wickramaratna said in a special notice that all Officers in Charge of Police should take steps to arrange and hold at least one Dhamma discourse by a Buddhist monk at a temple in their respective division with the participation of the public.

Police are to request the Buddhist monk to elaborate on the consequences associated with drug addiction.

Participants should include those who have been addicted to alcohol and other drugs. The police personnel are expected to ensure that they attend the sermon, the instructions said.

The police should invite families of war heroes, retired police personnel in their divisions and families of police personnel to attend their Vesak program in the temple, it said.