Wednesday, 20 February 2002 |
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Dr. D. P. Atukorale is indeed a lone voice crying in the concrete jungle for the welfare of animals. He takes pains to describe cruel slaughter of animals and its carnivorous perpetrators - the meat easter. Dr. Atukorale regularly writes to newspapers about alternatives to red meat such as soya etc. As a physician he also warns people about the dangers of consuming meat and its grave consequence. The good doctor would have observed that media promotes, aids and abets the increase in the number of consumers of meat products nicely packed and given catchy names. The blood stained business thrives at spotlessly clean supermarkets too. The middlemen are the nursing homes and the final beneficiaries are the undertakers. The losers are the young spouses and children. The impact of Dr. Atukorale's crusade would be of academic interest only. Ban the slaughter of all cattle - going further than India as in the devolution of political power and import meat. Sri Lanka has enough space to look after aging cattle and such sanctuaries could produce fertiliser or bio gas for the generation of electricity. Light from dark blood - as D. H. Lawrence would have put it. SUNIL J. PEIRIS-Moratuwa
Air pollution - biggest health hazard in city Over 50 per cent of residents in the city suffer from Respiratory Diseases, Health Ministry sources had told the "Daily News" (DN Feb 1). A large number of vehicles enter Colombo daily and over 75 per cent are diesel powered, and most of them use low quality diesel which contains a high percentage of sulphur and lead which cause severe damage to the respiratory system. The lead percentage in the city air space is 85 times higher than the normal acceptable level, and even acid rain could be expected in the city. How shocking. The long term solution is to build a coal power station and electrify the sub-urban Railways. In the short term, import of diesel vehicles other than lorries and buses should be restricted. The traffic Police should strictly enforce the Law on belching vehicles. Heavy vehicle should be checked to see if their Engines are properly tuned at their Annual Fitness Test. The Ministries of Transport and Environment should take joint action. LIONEL J. SENEVIRATNE-Mount Lavinia The Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council has provided the residents with garbage barrels to put their garbage into and convert same to Compost but many residents throw their garbage onto the road creating problems unnecessarily for the authority. Burning of dirt on road sides also poses a danger for those driving with gas. L.A.-Dehiwela |
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