A Buddhist monk sets himself on fire outside the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, protesting against the slaughter of cattle, police said.
The monk was admitted to the Kandy Hospital with 90 per cent critical burn injuries.
Eye witnesses said the monk poured petrol over his body and then lit himself. He was rushed by police.
The monk had been calling for a stop to cattle slaughter in Kandy, the city home to one of the holiest shrines for Buddhists, the
Temple of Tooth, which contains relic of the tooth of Buddha.
Wesak is a public holiday throughout the country. Meat stalls remain closed for two days during this time which signifies the birth, enlightenment and the death of Lord Buddha.
