Rein in the vandals

A news report this week said that the historic rampart in Polonnaruwa had been destroyed by excavating the area with backhoe machines with disregard to the archaeological value of the site.

Earlier it was reported that damage has been done to the wasp hives at Sigiriya by trying to chase away the wasps by setting fire to their hives.

Instances of treasure hunters damaging archaeological sites and sacred sites in search of hidden treasures are very often reported in the press.

All these are acts of vandalism that damage the country's rich heritage. To this it is possible to add numerous other acts of vandalism such as setting fire to forest reserves and ripping off furniture at public places and damaging public property.

It is high time to rein in these vandals, bring them before courts of law and punish them according to the law of the land.

Very often these acts of vandalism are not the doings of ordinary citizens but well to do people who are either members of the law enforcement bodies, or politicians and public officials with authority.

It is a case of custodians themselves destroying property under their care, a situation amply described by the saying 'Vetath niyarath goyam kaa nam'.

Among those who were caught treasure-hunting were officers of the Armed Services and the Police, members of the Buddhist clergy and henchmen of politicians. That is why the Archaeology department seems impotent or helpless in many instances.

What are being destroyed by these vandals are the country's history and its rich heritage and tradition. It is also appropriation of public property by private individuals with a view to augmenting their personal wealth.

Underneath all these activities lies the false thinking that public property unlike private property is not inviolable. Another myth is that such historic sites should be sacrificed for the sake of development.

Though not defined as such the rape of virgin forests and the destruction of the environment and the country's rich bio-diversity also constitute vandalism of the first degree.

By destroying environment or disturbing the ecological balance man is only quickening the doom of the species of Homo sapiens.

This ugly practice of vandalizing historic monuments, destroying rich cultural heritage and defacing archaeological sites etc. should be stopped. For this purpose stricter laws and stricter supervision are necessary.

It is also necessary to increase the people's awareness of the necessity of preserving the cultural and archaeological valuable sites and objects as well as the need to protect public property.

Since it is not possible to police each and every site engaging the people, especially the local communities in the preservation of such archaeologically and culturally valuable sites and objects becomes an urgent need.

On behalf of beggars

In a smart move the Railway authorities have banned begging in trains. They reason out that beggars act as accomplices in crime, often gathering intelligence about commuters or as participants in crime. Perhaps the pickpockets would find it easy to act when the commuters' attention is drawn to the beggars.

Whatever the reasoning and logic behind the decision train journeys would be dull and un-entertaining from now on. Actually very many were not just beggars. They were performers too. One could find blind singers, some playing instruments performing in train compartments to the delight of the commuters who willingly contribute in appreciation of their talents. Pity such entertainment too would face the ban.

Though there may be crooks among beggars, all beggars are not crooks. Even among commuters there may be worst crooks than the poor beggars. In fact there are crooks in every profession.

A blanket taboo on begging smacks of discrimination. Why prevent the honest beggar his livelihood when bigger crooks in high society go scot-free or are adored and rewarded?

As most beggars claim begging is a noble profession for it gives a man thrown into destitution a way out rather than taking to crime. Isn't the ban a violation of man's right to a livelihood?

In this age when finance ministers of over 100 countries roam the globe with a begging bowl in hand, it is a tragedy that our local beggar cannot beg in his own country without harassment.

Let the beggars free, for begging is neither crime nor sin.