Chandimal's 'buns on the belly' challenge sparks controversy

Chandimal Jayasinghe, a well-known model and social media personality, is currently embroiled in controversy for holding an Avurudu festival on the occasion of the recently concluded Sinhala New Year, by introducing Avurudu games that distorted traditional Sinhala rituals. The most criticism on social media regarding this Avurudu festival, which was organized with the participation of young groups who joined his Avurudu Prince and Princess selection competitions, and models close to him, including Piumi Hansamali, arose due to the indecent games introduced, such as eating buns on women's navels and drinking milk.

Regarding this, film actress Dilhani Ashokamala made a criticism on a popular YouTube channel, while another actress, Anoma Janadari, presented a different opinion. The great cultural festival of Helaya, or the Sinhala New Year, has become a tragedy of mental perversions, sparking intense discussion across social media. This festival, which was held by distorting our own folk games, a national heritage, and trivializing sacred cultural elements, was organized by the famous beautician Chandimal Jayasinghe under the name 'Royal Avurudu Festival'. 

The cultural distortion created through this included extremely disgraceful and grotesque elements such as eating buns placed on women's navels, drinking beer through baby milk bottles, and running races while consuming alcohol. This was not merely done for entertainment, but has now been confirmed as an indecent act that sets a wrong precedent for future generations regarding our noble culture.

Veteran actress Dilhani Ekanayake was the first to raise her voice against this cultural destruction. With her direct condemnation of these inappropriate actions, she received immense praise from many in the art field, including musician Sarath de Alwis, as well as from the general public. However, surprisingly, another veteran actress, Anoma Jinadari, attacked Dilhani's brave statement and leveled a serious accusation via social media. 

Like looking for flaws in the finger when shown the moon, Anoma stated that Dilhani's acting career flaws were more serious than Chandimal's cultural destruction. This was a matter of surprise to many, and her attempt to suppress the real issue by challenging the acting prowess of Dilhani, who has acted in over a hundred roles, was met with severe criticism from many.

Meanwhile, Vishwa Lanka, an announcer and actor, also severely criticized these indecent behaviors and delivered an important message to society. He expressed deep disappointment, pointing out the wrong example given to young children by showcasing semi-naked dancing women instead of the 'Avurudu Kumari' (Avurudu Princess) competition where a maiden of supreme beauty is crowned, and by organizing competitions that promote alcohol. He raised a fair question about how unfortunate it is that our own people are destroying this noble culture, which is our identity, while the whole world appreciates it.

Even with the situation having escalated to this extent, the silence of the relevant authorities is a serious problem. Just as there is a specific mechanism to regulate how Dansals (alms-giving events) are held during the Vesak season, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs must immediately legislate to stop such distorted activities carried out in the name of national Avurudu festivals. In a context where information is reported that even the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has turned its attention to this incident, authorities must take swift action to bring the culprits before the law or at least make them apologize publicly.

If proper regulation and strict laws are not enforced, in a few more years, our future generations will not see a true Sinhala New Year, but only the disgraceful mental perversion of empty people devoid of values.

Watch the video related to this incident ›