The government, contradicting a statement made by Buddhist Affairs Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said, there was no decision to ban pandols on Vesak and Poson Poya days. 

In a statement, the government announced that the Minister only made a request on the matter, taking concerns expressed by the Maha Sangha into consideration. 

It added there was no ban on pandols and the reports stating otherwise are false. 

The Buddhist Affairs Minister, speaking to the press, earlier stated that the government had banned displaying pandols on Vesak Poya Day in a bid to encourage Buddhist devotees to engage in religious activities.