Drop tobacco from betel offerings - Prof Carlo Fonseka

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka has requested the public to offer sheaves of betel leaves without tobacco during Sinhala and Tamil New Year rituals.

The practice of including tobacco in the sheaf of betel leaves, should be rejected. Betel leaves symbolize sacredness in national cultural festivals.

It has been established through research that tobacco cultivation creates many serious social, economic, health and environmental problems.

Pro. Fonseka was addressing a special media briefing at the Information Department, recently requested the cooperation of all for the programme to gradually turn tobacco a rejected item in Sri Lankan society.

He also urged the public to not to use liquor or any other alcohol product during the festive season and celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in peace and harmony. Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera and the Chairman of the Teetotaler Society Olcott Gunasekara were also present at the media briefing.