A commendable step

The decision taken by the Government to lower the electricity rates of religious institutions is a considerate move that would be welcomed by both religious leaders and the faithful alike.

According to a news item in our inside pages yesterday President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed that the scheme be put into effect from August 1.

Under the new scheme the electricity bills of all places of religious worship will be slashed by 50 per cent. This certainly is a huge concession and is bound cost the Government a not inconsiderable sum given the huge number of places of religious worship dotting the country’s landscape.

One could even pose the question whether the authorities could afford to write off such a vast sum considering the current financial state of the CEB. The economy is feeling the impact of world oil prices. But the Government would have felt justified in affording this concession to complement the pride of place it has accorded to religion and fostering the spiritual life.

The very nature of some of our religious practises often makes for extensive hours. There are pirith ceremonies in temples that go on till dawn. Similarly kovil ceremonies and some Christian rituals extend to the wee hours in the morning particularly during days significant to the particular religion.

All this means burning of electricity which cannot be avoided. This invariably means additional power consumption. It is a common fact that not all places of religious worship have the financial resources to cope with the demands.

It is only the more famous Viharayas, Catholic shrines, Kovils and Mosques that get preferential treatment by rich donors. It is also a fact that most places of religious worship in rural outposts are left to fend for themselves. The exceptions of course are the famous shrines like Madhu and Kataragama and Sri Dalada Maligawa where patronage is showered by donors and devotees alike.

Secluded temples, kovils, churches and mosques are largely ignored and rarely does even the State pay attention to them. This is true of all places of religious worship. Christian churches situated in largely Buddhist areas with little patronage naturally find it difficult to cope with meagre budgets.

Similarly Buddhist temples in Catholic dominated areas find themselves in a similar predicament. Hence the decision of the Government to come to the rescue of such religious institutions should be commended.

The Government should however carefully select the recipients in this regard. We say this because today there are a large number pseudo religious sects mushrooming all over the country. The conduct of some of these organisations is questionable and had given rise to various conflicts in their neighbourhoods.

On the other hand the Government cannot afford to afford huge subsidies on power consumption to religious institutions indiscriminately at a time of economic constraints. Therefore a proper plan should be devised to identify those religious institutions which are really in need of this concession.

A proper evaluation should undertaken in this regard perhaps with the participation of all religious leaders.

A special Committee should be appointed to identify places of religious worship for this concession.

A way should be devised to ensure that the subsidy would not pose an undue strain on the economy. In the past too various Governments came forward to offer concessions to the clergy such as free public transport. We are not aware if this scheme is still in existence.

A responsible Government is duty bound to see to the welfare of all clergy and attend to the needs of religious institutions.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has gone on to extend wide patronage to all religions in the country and is meeting with religious leaders on a regular basis to inquire into their needs and offer instant assistance.

His close rapport with leaders of minority religions too is symbolic of the harmony and concord that is sought to be fostered among different groups and communities where all could practise unity amidst diversity.