Half of the country is in a debate over whether the criticism of religious beliefs constitutes an insult that warrants legal or other action over certain critical statements made by Pastor Jerome Fernando and stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya about several religions including Buddhism. While these incidents are now matters that concern ongoing legal actions, many Sri Lankans urge that all religious or similar beliefs be respected and accepted, and that it is a duty that citizens of all beliefs should share.
However, as the country is preparing to celebrate this year’s Poson Poya Day, which is regarded as the second biggest Buddhist religious festival, an incident reported in the Anuradhapura area highlights the importance of religious activities being conducted in a manner that recognise challenges people face in partaking in the religious activities and celebrate their devotion and acceptance.
On 28 May, Atamasthana Adhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera urged the organisers of the Poson Poya Day celebrations to postpone those preparations at least for two weeks, as the celebrations are likely to cause inconveniences to the 2022 General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination which commenced yesterday (29). The monk made this statement during a meeting held to discuss a festival organised by the Anuradhapura Municipal Council in the Harishchandra stadium in Anuradhapura, which allegedly caused inconvenience to students who are sitting for the O/L Examination in three schools located in the vicinity of the stadium. The monk pointed out that most of the celebrations in the Vesak and Poson festive seasons have been organised without adequate knowledge of the purpose of those festivals.
This is not just a matter about O/L students in Anuradhapura, and noise pollution by religious places or religious activities is not a new issue. For decades, the public have been complaining about religious places or activities making too much noise in the name of religion or religious freedom with no regard for the people living in the surrounding areas. However, only in a handful of cases have those grievances received a supportive, sensitive response. At a time where respect for religious or such beliefs is being emphasised, especially by Buddhist monks, it is important to pay attention to religious leaders or places conducting their operations in a manner that creates a sense of respect for religions, not an aversion.
At present, not just O/L students and or the people of Anuradhapura, but people of many parts of the country are affected by non-stop and noisy recordings of religious sermons that start early in the morning using loudspeakers. Although the Anuradhapura incident is based on the Poson Poya Day, almost all mainstream religions are engaged in this act in various forms, and tend to justify the same, citing the importance of promoting religion. Those who oppose these acts are often labeled as people with anti-religious opinions, or those who do not respect religious beliefs. Now, the people’s frustration is on the rise. Several social media pages and groups have been created by social media users to express opposition against religious places or leaders using the freedom that they have to disturb people in the said manner, while many who have commented on those pages and groups have lodged complaints with the Police although no positive or effective response was received. However, in 2008, the Supreme Court delivered a verdict in which it stated that sound pollution was a form of public nuisance and that the Police has a duty to entertain complaints received from citizens with regard to public nuisance.
The above-mentioned monk’s sentiments that religious activities should take place, but not in a manner that inconveniences the public, should be the opinion that all religious leaders and religions should promote. Instead of forcing the people to listen to religious sermons or harbouring the erroneous idea that playing sermons loudly helps promote religions, religious leaders should respect the people’s right to listen to sermons only when they need to. That would not only prevent the need for the people to seek legal assistance to live peacefully, but will also prevent a clash between the law and religion. The law enforcement agencies on the other hand have an undeniable responsibility to respond to complaints about sound pollution by religious places or activities in accordance with the law, and the people should push for the same.