Archives

by Florence Wickramage

"Among the mountains of the highland of Sri Lanka, Adam's Peak rises in solitary majesty. From the summit there is an unhindered, panoramic view of the rugged centre of the Island. No one who has experienced the sublime beauty of sunrise on that mountain, can doubt that it is indeed the abode of a god, nor could there be a more worthy repository for Sri Pada, the Glorious Footprint left on the Peak by Lord Buddha, or, as some claim, imprinted there by Adam, or Shiva, or Saint Thomas". (Per Kvaerne, Professor, University of Oslo).

The awesome sacred heights - Sri Pada

Another Sri Pada season has begun and pilgrims trek up the Samanala Kande to worship the Sacred Footprint. The Footprint is sacred to adherents of all the major religions practised in Sri Lanka. Many are the beautiful legends and stories that are woven around Sri Pada. With the passing of the years the rugged terrain of ancient times has given way to a comfortable mode of approach with widened pathways.

Keeping the Sri Pada environs clean has become a priority concern of the Government, environmentalists and all concerned, for Sri Pada is our heritage and must be preserved in all its sanctity. Several programmes have been launched to ensure that the mountain and its environs are not littered by pilgrims and visitors. One major pollutant is polythene and empty plastic bags thrown haphazardly by pilgrims. These bio-undegradable items block the springs and streams in the peak wilderness catchment area from which three major rivers - the Kalu, the Walawe and the Kelani originate.

These springs also feed the Mahaveli. Moreover the peak wilderness is rich in biodiversity and most of the trees, plants and herbs found in this area are of high medicinal value. At the end of each Sri Pada season, clean-up campaigns have been undertaken by voluntary organisations with the assistance of members of the Army and the Police forces and school children. Lorry loads of polythene had been collected and the situation had reached alarming proportions. Urgent action has been initiated to educate the general public about hazards posed to the environment and biodiversity by polythene and the media have joined in the campaign.

Steady stream of pilgrims to and  from Sri Pada

It is with this intention that we a group of journalists from the print, broadcasting and electronic media joined an anti-polythene campaign organised and led by the Director of the Upper Watershed Management Project D. P. Munaweera over the last weekend. Leaving Colombo in the wee hours of the morning we reached Nallathanniya close upon noon.

We did a recle around the shopping complex and were pleasantly surprised to see no "sili sili" bags for sale. We then spoke to several shop keepers who informed us that they are strictly adhering to the polythene-ban. As ordinary visitors we went to certain shops and said we wanted to purchase some "sili sili" bags. The shop keepers said they do not sell these bags any more since the police is very strict and is continuing vigilance. The police had also ordered stalls constructed with polythene covers to be demolished. Around 50 stalls come up in the Nallathanniya town for the Sri Pada season from December to May each year.

We saw some cloth bags for sale hanging on a hook in one of the shops. T. T. Lalani a resident of Maskeliya said she makes these bags from cloth she obtains in bulk from Maharagama, Pamunuwa. The bags come in two sizes and are sold at Rs. 10/- and Rs. 20/- each.

We enquired from another shop owner - M. T. Patabendi - why he sells sweet meats in polythene wrappers. He answered that the business companies which make them bring them in that state and he is forced to sell them in their wrappers. Some stall holders said they should be provided with alternatives for polythene and that the law should treat every person alike. Some complained that in certain instances the big fry gets preferential treatment while the small fry are penalised. They also said that it was the big business companies who take polythene-wrapped biscuits etc. to the shops lining the route to the summit.

Janaka Thalagahagedera, P. M. Jayaratne, Sadeep Deva and Ranasinghe residing in and around Maskeliya are stall owners who had been conducting business in this area for the past 15 years. They said they all loved the environment and were cooperating to keep it pollution free. They said that vendors are fully aware about hazards to the environment caused by polythene.

Rupasinghe and Sumanasinghe are two other salesmen who said that they obtained loans from the bank to purchase polythene for their stalls. Once they put up their stalls, the police had ordered them demolished. Due to this reason they were in financial difficulties.

We then went to the Nallathanniya police post and spoke to the Officer-in-Charge Inspector Priyashantha. The police is strictly enforcing the polythene ban. There are 10-12 police officers on special duty for the season along with 5 motorcycles. There are several police posts on the route to the summit from Nallathanniya through Seethagangula to Indikatupana and special police from Ratnapura are on duty at the Uda Maluwa.

Inspector Priyashantha said that they have warned shop and stall keepers about the polythene ban and that they should strictly adhere to it. The Inspector said that they have gained knowledge from the special programmes and active campaigns organised by the Environment and Buddhasasana Ministries and also through environment programmes in the print, electronic and broadcasting media. The police is also using the loud-speaker system repeatedly to inform pilgrims about the anti-polythene campaigns.

On our way to the summit we witnessed how efforts had been made to keep the environs clean and tidy. Containers had been kept along the route for solid waste. There are banners, posters and placards put up by the Environment Ministry, the police, Siddhalepa, and the UWMP on the necessity to keep Sri Pada pollution-free. Cloth bags had replaced "sili-sili" bags and Siddhalepha too had joined in. Incidentally Siddhalepa, the only business concern providing free service is completing its 25th year of service at Sri Pada this year.

The Sri Pada environment has acquired a face lift this year thanks to anti-pollution campaigners. Stalls are neater and tidier, roads well swept, less litter by the wayside. We were informed that the worst offenders polluting the mountain were Ambagamuwa Provincial Council workers. Some boutique keepers said that without even batting an eye lid they empty the waste containers on to the slopes. A pilgrim couple from Habarana, L. K. K. Peiris and P. S. Kusuma Fernando said they left early morning with home-cooked food in a "Kehel kola bathmula".

They said that even the young people appeared disciplined, there was no baila, no shouting and no misbehaviour. On our way back we crossed pilgrim 'nades' chanting the "Thun Saranaya" as they made their way up to the summit.

With memories of undertaking the long climb in the dampness and darkness of night, shivering in the chilly breeze and reaching the summit at the break of the golden dawn, to gaze in wonder at the silhouette of the peak cast by the rising sun on the hills and billowing clouds below .... this is our heritage to protect and preserve till eternity.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager