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The Conciliatory Council concept

Considering the controversial nature of some of the issues which have arisen from Government's plans to enact legislation prohibiting the "unethical conversion" of persons from one religion to another, the State's proposal to set up a Conciliatory Council to promote religious harmony is most commendable.

As explained by Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake to the Director, Law and Public Policy of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, it is only those who resort to "unethical" practices or "force" in the conversion of persons to their religions, who need to be anxious about the proposed legislation. "Traditional" religionists who do not usually use these methods need not bother about the proposed legislation.

While the Government needs to be deeply cognisant of and sensitive to its human rights commitments, while passing legislation of this kind, there is no doubt that every conceivable measure needs to be taken to maintain peace and harmony among the practitioners of all religions of our land. We have had a proud history of understanding and reconciliation among our religions and this exemplary legacy needs to be carefully perpetuated. Accordingly, we welcome the Conciliatory Council proposal.

An important task for the Conciliatory Council would be to defuse misconceptions which have arisen in the current debate on "unethical conversions". Ideally, major figures from all religions need to be in this forum. From what could be gathered, the current debate is teeming with erroneous notions and these need to be eliminated.

There is no better way to do this than launch an enlightened dialogue among the country's religions. Besides, this dialogue needs to be conducted in the Council within democratic parameters. The question shouldn't arise of one party imposing its will on the other. In other words, the Council's consultations should be conducted on the basis of equality.

The Council also needs to be proactively involved in the furthering of religious harmony. We hope the operations of the Council wouldn't be only confined to discussions and deliberations. The Council should also consider practical measures to promote religious unity.

It should also take timely steps to defuse conflict situations and go the extra mile to nip religious tensions in the bud. In other words, the Council cannot relegate itself to a nominal existence. This, indeed, is our prayer.

Passive smoking

Every year, 4.9 million people die due to tobacco use while around 100,000 young people become addicted to tobacco daily. But we tend to leave out passive smoking, the inhalation of secondary smoke by non-smokers, from these alarming statistics.

New research shows that it may be much more dangerous than scientists had thought. A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Online First on Wednesday provides further evidence that passive smoking has adverse effects which may have been underestimated. Previous studies had estimated the raised risk of heart disease from passive smoking in non-smokers at only 25 to 30 per cent.

The researchers have vindicated anti-smoking campaigners who have spoken out against the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, be it first hand or second hand. The researchers studied exposure to passive smoke by measuring a breakdown product of tobacco smoke called cotinine in the blood of non-smokers.

They found that high concentrations of blood cotinine levels were associated with a 50-60 per cent higher risk of coronary heart disease. This finding is likely to intensify calls for a wider ban on smoking in public places.

Many countries already ban smoking in designated public areas and several world capitals are contemplating a total ban on smoking in all public buildings and gardens. In Sri Lanka, the Railways has set an example by banning smoking in stations and on board trains.

One can argue that smoking is a personal choice and in a way, it is. But a smoker harms those around him as well. Governments and local authorities should have the right to prohibit smoking in public places if it endangers those who do not smoke.

Statistics show that around 40 per cent of males in Sri Lanka smoke and authorities have taken many commendable steps to discourage the habit. There is a complete ban on tobacco advertising in the media, cigarettes cannot be sold to minors and health warnings are compulsory on cigarette packs and point of sale advertising. Scant attention is however paid to tackling the effects passive smoking.

Sri Lanka will be expected to do more to control both direct and passive smoking as one of the countries which had ratified the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which covers smoking prevention, treatment, illicit trade, advertising, sponsorship and promotion and product regulation. Local authorities should analyse the latest findings and take concrete steps to minimise the harmful effects of passive smoking.

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