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| Monday, 25 February 2002 |
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Letters | |
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It is a crime not to consider religious views before taking necessary steps to construct a new abattoir. In a country like Sri Lanka, whose population though multi-racial and multi-religious majority are Buddhists and Hindus, it is very necessary to canvas for consensus without leaving room for dissensions and divisions among them and also not to jeopardise the prevailing amity, peace and the democratic structure of the country. It does not appear that even the opinions of the acknowledge religious dignitaries have been sought before taking a decision of this magnitude. No religion whether Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity (Holy Bible), Judaism (Torah), Al-Islam (Holy Koran), permits or condones mass scale or otherwise, killing of animals and make their flesh available on commercial basis. Due to lack of proper understanding some seem to believe that vegetarianism is only for Buddhists. In fact, it should be the other way around because there is no harm in Buddhists partaking flesh of animals not killed or met with natural deaths (Thrikoti parishudha maansa). However Buddha has admonished laymen not to deal in five trades, ones of which is animals for slaughter others being not to trade human beings, alcoholic substances, poisons and lethal weapons. It is no secret, that according to Genesis, first Book of Moses, in the Holy Bible, after creating the man in His (Gods) image, after his likeness, with the capacity to differentiate good and evil, giving him dominion over animals (not to kill and eat), he was given herbs yielding seeds for meat (food). Only after the great Biblical floods that covered the whole face of the earth, destroying every living substance upon it, save chosen men and animals in the Noah's Ark, God made it lawful for the man to eat flesh of animals as an exemption, describing blood as life and that man should not eat flesh with life. Therefore, it does not require much intelligence to understand that there is no flesh devoid of blood for man to eat, without resorting to a make belief method to side step the issue. The Holy Koran consisting of revelations made by Angle Gabriel through Prophet Mohammed in verse 173 in Surah II has prohibited blood for consumptions as well as pork, carcass, and what is not offered to Allah, (four prohibitions) which could be eaten without craving and transgressing only when driven by necessity for the purpose of survival. It is not out of place to quote here that according to Hadees. Prophet Mohammed only after wrapping his index finger with a tape put it into the meat curry and pulled out unwrapped it before licking the finger to grant approval for the followers to eat. The above quotes shall put in context the issue of animal slaughter in general. Even before the birth of the Buddha and other religious leaders, Precepts, were prevalent and adapted and enforced by kings and rulers of kingdoms, empires, as governing rules and laws to discipline the people for better governance. No king could have been able to rule a country if these laws were not enforced for the preservation of the civilisations and cultures of the generations of people and safety of both people and of animals. The enforcement of these rules and laws granted protection to life and property and they could be in other words identified as insurance coverings granted to them and their properties. In the words of advice of Arhat Mahinda Thera in introducing Buddhism as the state religion in Sri Lanka, the King of the country is not the owner but the custodian of all life in his kingdom including the birds, fish and animals. The declaration of sanctuaries in Sri Lanka originated as early as this historic event that happened in the 3rd century Before Christ. Sacrificing of animals (and human beings) in anticipation of favours to either Gods or Devils according to some religious practices, which, however, are not to be practiced by true Buddhists, should not be confused with these proposed mass scale unreligious and unethical slaughtering of animals for trade undermining the age-old cultural traditions and religious beliefs. Why have not our most vociferous learned educated leaders with obvious lack of wisdom and farsightedness, realise that affluent western powers on the pretext of helping us to revive and develop our economy are very shrewdly and cunningly getting us do all the dirty work for their benefit and causing destruction of our culture etc. Why have we forgotten Mahatma Gandhi's famous saying? Quote: "The civilised nature of a country can be judged by the way its animals are treated. The only way to live is to let live." P. S. A. MUTUCUMARANA- Dehiwala.
Registration numbers of motor vehicles If I begin with the evolution of the Registration Numbers of Motor vehicles, at the start it began from A to Z of the English alphabet. After that the English letters of the word Ceylon was used as CE, CY, Cl, CN. Then after that Sinhalese letter Sri (...) was introduced, which created another reason to erupt communal violence. Later it was replaced by a dash. Those types of Registration Numbers had some sense and meaning in them. At a glance anybody could determine the type of vehicle, model, year of registration, and the fuel type. Number was a guideline to motor traffic to detect vehicles. It was easy for the motor traders and to the customers to evaluate the cost of vehicles. The current registration numbers are very complicative and long. Even the vehicle owner cannot keep that number in mind. They have several English letters in different sizes and some numerals appearing all the number plates alike. Nobody could understand by looking at them whether the vehicle is a bus, a lorry, a motor car, a motor cycle, a tractor, a three-wheeler, a funeral car or a land-master. The creators of these numbers boasted heavily that it would help detect vehicles used for criminal activities. Now the criminals need not bother about their number plates. Before the introduction of these new numbers vehicle owners did not have to pay fees to R.M.V. to obtain number plates. Now the charges for number plates are Rs. 900 for motor cycles and Rs. 1200 for other vehicles. Vehicle owners have to go to R.M.V. to obtain number plates. Earlier there were thousands of able craftsmen, who were engaged in making number plates and earning a living. Now they have become jobless. We have to see whether there is any benefit derived out of this new system. Earlier any vehicle owner could make his own number plate according to the required specifications by the skilled craftsmen in durable material for less than Rs. 500. Prices charged by the R.M.V. for these new numbers are very high. The monopoly of manufacture and supply of number plates are given to a foreign company by paying massive sums. No doubt that advocates of these things are benefited well, despite the fact the system is an utter mess, wasting our valuable foreign exchange to enrich the companies of other countries, making our thousands of able youths jobless. W. P. DHARMASIRI-Veyangoda
The school big match season is at our doorstep. All the fun, frolic and preparation related to this is in the air, with the cricketers of the respective schools practising hard for their annual encounter, and their supporters cheering them on, and getting ready to enjoy themselves at the match. There is, however an undesirable phenomenon that has become aggravated over the last few years. As you travel along the roads during the big match season, you find young men of school going age, or even a little older, carrying caps, cloth hats and various other types of headgear and soliciting money from passers-by. Cars stopped at traffic lights are targeted, as are pedestrians, especially young ladies. They come up with the words "Aiye (or Akke), big match ekata podi support ekak denna". They even tend to walk along side their victims for considerable distances, pestering them for money. What is sad is that this is done on the public road by well-dressed young men who are obviously from families which are able to provide for their needs. And often in full sight of beggars, some of whom are crippled. And even sadder is that quite a number of those whom they accost quickly part with money, sometimes even notes, and then walk past a crippled beggar without even a glance. And for what purpose does this money go? To charity? I think not! Rather it goes towards indulgence, sometimes in liquor and pornography, by these young men. The school authorities should seriously look into this matter, and take steps to see that this practice, which is nothing short of a public nuisance, as well as one which causes moral deterioration among our youth be curbed. Parents should also inculcate proper values to their children. As for the general public, they should learn to say a firm No! F.N. SAMUEL,-via e-mail.
Roundabouts, signal lights and air pollution Air Pollution is high in Colombo City. To avoid this the Roundabout system is the best, as it provides the traffic to flow on continuously. Lipton Circus and twin roundabout at Thunmulla (Bullers Road - Havelock Road) junction are very good examples. The one in Horton Place - Alexendra Place is spoilt with too many traffic signals. Even Borella junction could be supported with twin roundabouts. Rows of vehicles at traffic signals, produce a lot of auto fumes, which pollute the air more and more. Such rows at junctions especially with many lanes or roads connecting, make the punishment much severe. Starting at Maradana Technical Junction, Norris Road is full of such signal lights. Such places should be covered by traffic Police officers of course with caps to wear for breathing for poor souls. Signal lights may be introduced at every pedestrian crossing with a self operated stop button system for the users' convenience, so that the signal lights already installed could be relocated to benefit pedestrians on crossings. These systems will not only lesson the air pollution but also it would definitely save on fuel bills as well on our next budget. Hopefully the signal lights on main junctions will be replaced by roundabouts and roundabouts will have no signal lights to add insult to injury. It is said that approximately 350,000 vehicles enter Colombo City daily. SUSANTHA M. WELGAMA -Colombo
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