• 'Cattle slaughter'

• Bureaucracy affronts Mahinda Chinthanaya

   

'Cattle slaughter'

CHANDANI Samarasinghe (DN - March 8) mentioned in her letter that cattle slaughter is to be banned in Sri Lanka. She contends that eating meat is anti-Buddhism, unhealthy, and also contributes to natural disasters.

Going against the grain of popular Sri Lankan culture, Buddhism does not prohibit eating meat. In a newsletter of April-June 1990 of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia, Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso quoting from the Book of the Discipline, Vol. 4, p. 325 narrated the story of Gautama Buddha clarifying the position on eating meat to the monks, he said:

"Monks, I allow you fish and meat that are quite pure in three respects: if they are not seen, heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk. But, you should not knowingly make use of meat killed on purpose for you."

Kingsley Heendeniya, a regular contributor on Buddhism, in one of his many writings also narrated the story just mentioned. The above statement is conditional - that fish and meat can be consumed as food as long as the animals are not slaughtered to please monks.

A fine distinction is made between food consumed because of hunger and food consumed for pleasure. This is a lesson on moderation that is often overlooked.

Secondly, let me address the common misconception that meat is unhealthy. Any nutritionist will tell us that over-eating, bad eating habits, lack of exercise, hereditary, etc. are the main causes of health issues.

If health is our primary concern, then there are many unwanted habits that we can do away with that has minimum or no food values than agonize over someone else's diet.

For e.g. alcohol, smoking, cola, or even coconut which is high on saturated fat like beef are unhealthy. Incidently, alcohol and cigarettes are plant based products and killed more people than meat. Health is a wider subject than simply a choice between eating meat or not.

We understand that cattle slaughter is a sensitive issue to many and we should respect that. For some, consuming any animal is a taboo including fish or even for that matter eggs.

But, when Government sets policies for the good of the country it should be balanced and inclusive and solidly grounded on pragmatism.

It's better to err on the side of caution than take a devil-may-care intolerant path. Food industry including fishing is the biggest industry in the world and many families make a living out of it.

The economic impact for any country is enormous. To regulate individual's right to choose their own food in a multi-cultural country like Sri Lanka would be short-sighted, and bound to create more problems than it would solve.

TUAN RIZA RASSOOL -
USA.

Bureaucracy affronts Mahinda Chinthanaya

WHILE the key ministers after the reshuffle were busy over more mundane issues like the North East conflict and ceasefire agreement relevant thereto, it appears the bureaucrats in their Ministries had been having a field day in taking unfriendly decisions affecting everyday life of the unaffordable.

A case in point is the shocking increase of electricity charges from February 1. Mine is a below average house with 2 occupants with no heavy electricity consuming gadgets.

My 2006 January electricity bill came to 107 units costing Rs. 590 averaging 5.51 per unit. My February bill with 90 units less by 17 units, carries a charge of Rs. 652.00 averaging 7.24 per unit, an increase of 1.73 per unit.

The political clout behind this move is obvious to the discerned, when one notes the timing of this upward revision in the eve of an local election countrywide when matters concerning daily cost of living take the pride of place.

When the bureaucrats made the first move with this increase, the Consumers Association Lanka, it is understood, made representations and was able to baulk it with the then Minister.

But the Bureaucracy were relentless and have hoaxed his successor and had their way as they were unyielding and determined.

W. Samaranayaka -
Maharagama.