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'Children must be encouraged to practise religion'

by Ja-ela group correspondent

Timely action by the government and the police has been able to reduce drug addiction but both parents going to work has a big impact on their children and there is a greater tendency for these children to go astray get involved in various bad habits including drug addiction, said Bodhi Liyanage, DIG, Colombo District at the prize giving ceremony of the Sirirakkita Daham Pasala held at Asokarama Viharaya, Udammita, Ja-Ela. The ceremony was presided by Ven. Rajakeeya Panditha, Sastravedi Heenatiyana Nandatissa Thera, Viharadhipathi Heenatiyana Pothgul Viharaya, President, Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya, Negombo-Katana and President, Wellawatte International Buddhist Centre.

Liyanage said that today the responsibilities of the parents towards their children have lessened. It is not merely enough to send the children to school. Parents must keep a close vigil on their children as to where they go and who they associate with.

He said that the police have received information that certain children who travel to big schools in cities in private vehicles, do not go to school but visit various places of illfame and indulge in immoral activities. He said that the police has found such an 8 year old child who was used to traffic drugs and the police took steps to educate parents periodically about how to protect their children.

Liyanage said that when both the parents go to work and are away most of the time not only do children go astray but sometimes they would abandon their parents when they grow old.

He said that 80% of these crimes could be attributed to poverty and illiteracy.

Liyanage said that the best way to save children from becoming corrupt was to be vigilant and to encourage them to practise religion more and more.

Ven. Udammita Assagitissa Thera, Viharadhipathi, Udammita Purana Viharaya, Registrar Amarapura Maha Nikaya and Western Province Chief Sangha Nayaka said that joining Daham Pasalas and learning the Dhamma is lessening.

In every village there is a temple and in every temple there must be a Daham pasala, he said. Ven. Panditha Seeduwe Sumanawansa Thera, Vice President, Gampaha District Viharadhipathi Sangamaya, Abhinavaramaya, Raddoluwa also spoke.

Special prayers for peace

The Sri Lanka Young Muslim Dawah Society in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre organised special prayers (duha) for the success of the peace talks between the Government and the LTTE in Thailand.

It will be held on Sunday September 15, at 10 a.m. at the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre, Rajapokuna Mawatha, Maligawatte, Colombo 10.

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