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| Sunday, 20 January 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Statement by the Editor: Safeguarding religion and culture A controversy has arisen over an article which had been prepared for publication in the 'Sunday Observer' of 6th January, 2002 and then withheld from publication due to its unsuitability. The management of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited acted swiftly to ensure that the article was withdrawn from the pages of the 'Sunday Observer' and not published. However, given the subject of the article pertaining to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha members of the public as well as Buddhist organisations have expressed deep perturbation over what they fear was an attempt to belittle a most hallowed symbol of Buddhism and object of veneration by the Buddhist community. The 'Sunday Observer' has respectfully taken note of the representations submitted to our management by venerable members of the Maha Sangha as well as by several Buddhist lay organisations. The article was withheld from publication precisely because there was danger that it may offend the sensibilities of the Buddhist community. The 'Sunday Observer' profoundly regrets the perturbation that has arisen as a result of this episode and hastens to reassure all those who have expressed concern that this newspaper remains committed to the ideals of democracy that protect all religious and philosophical traditions. As a national newspaper in a society that has suffered much under colonial rule, the 'Sunday Observer' is especially committed to the nurturing and revival of Buddhism as well as other indigenous religious and cultural traditions that have been undermined by several hundred years of foreign rule. |
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