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Buddha Bar shut
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The Indonesian branch of the Buddha Bar, an international chain of upmarket bars, has been ordered to close because its name caused distress to Buddhists, a Reuters report quoted local media as reporting.
The move comes even as Sri Lanka had sought the closure of the Buddha bar chain headquartered in France with Sri Lankan missions in Europe being asked to act on the issue in June this year.
The English language newspaper Jakarta Globe reported that the Central Jakarta District Court in Indonesia on Wednesday ordered the owners of the bar, Nireta Vista Creative, to close down immediately following a complaint by a Buddhist group in that country.
The group had complained the bar's name and use of Buddhist decorations and statues was a form of blasphemy. A lawyer for the bar owners said they would appeal.
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne had in June this year said that he has decided to take action over the conduct of the Buddha Bar restaurant chain and inform the leaders of the countries in which these bars are located to take action against such places.
Subsequently the External Affairs Ministry told Daily Mirror online that it had alerted and sought a report from the Sri Lankan High Commission in France over the Buddha Bar operations.
All other Sri Lankan missions in Europe where the Buddha Bar restaurant chain is situated had also been alerted to begin investigations and submit a detailed report on their findings. (Daily Mirror online)
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