Firemen douse park passions
NZPA-AP Colombo Colombo has been suffering a water shortage, but that didn’t prevent the fire department from pouring 22,000 litres of cold water on dozens of lovers in a city park to discourage “nefarious activities” in the bushes.
Wet and weeping girls and their boyfriends ran from Viharamahadevie Park on Thursday after firemen trained hoses on shade trees and bushes. “A Wet Blanket on Park Lovers,” said the independent “Sun” newspaper yesterday in a front-page story accompanied by photos of fleeing lovers.
Fire Chief K. M. De Silva was quoted by the “Sun” as saying the move was meant to water
shrubs and serve as “a deterrent to couples who are engaged in nefarious activities.”' Witnesses said children and passers-by were soaked, too, as six firemen with hoses chased lovers around.
A severe drought has brought water rationing to the Sri Lankan capital, with some areas cut off for up to 14 hours a day. The fire department’s move was the latest effort to discourage public displays of affection that could offend Buddhist modesty. The police have recently been chasing “umbrella lovers,” those who kiss behind parasols, and have taken in several young women with umbrellas for questioning.
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Press, 14 March 1987, Page 11
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202Firemen douse park passions Press, 14 March 1987, Page 11
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