‘Public awareness programmes, lectures on illicit liquor not fruitful’ :

Village development essential says thera

Priyadarshani Kahawala, Ingiriya central group correspondent

The majority of crimes are committed by certain people’s representatives, Gampaha district Member of Parliament Ven Aturaliye Ratana Thera said.

Ven Athuraliye Ratana Thera addressing the gathering

The thera speaking at a public awareness programme on illicit liquor for villagers of Palpitigoda, Poruwedanda, organised by Ingiriya Police at Palpitigoda Nandaratanarama temple recently, said if a village is developed, the village temple will automatically develop.

“Ninety percent of temples in Sri Lanka have been built by the public. Unfortunately, most monks are not aware about this,” Ven Ratana Thera.

The prelate said public awareness programmes and lectures on ill effects of illicit liquor can be held islandwide.

“But these are useless. People don't give up their habits merely by listening to lectures,” he said.

Ven Ratana Thera said there were officers in the Police who had not passed even grade 8 in the past.

“That situation has changed today. All officers are recruited to the Police if only they have passed the GCE A-L now. The Police Department has intelligent members now. OICs who stopped the kasippu business in villages were transferred after four or five years. The kasippu dealers restarted their business. This is the real situation today,” he said

A plants donation and a uniform donation also held.