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Tuesday, 11 September 2012

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Religious ritual of slaughtering

Religious rituals of slaughtering animals are practised by certain religious sects coming down from ancient times, despite killing of and cruelty to animals being against the teachings of all faiths. Hinduism profess vegetarianism and is against meat consumption and cruelty to animals. However, coming down from the vedic age, Hinduism has a method of sacrifice called Yajna. The performance of Yajna centre around a sacrificial fire with offerings being thrown into it. Goats and horses were often sacrificed.

Hinduism in fact, has no founder as in other religions and faiths. It is a collection of religious and cultural beliefs and practices in India over a period of several centuries. Hence, the ritual of animal sacrifice in ancient times appear to have been retained inappropriately. Most Hindus, educated or of upper class echelons of the society, perform forms of religious worship more as social customs than as pure religious activities. Others, the vast majority, approach the faith by traditional methods through devotion and performance. That applies to Buddhists as well.

What is practised in the Kali Amman Kovil in Chilaw, projected as a Hindu religious ritual is in fact not a Hindu religious ritual proper, falling in line with the doctrine but a practice leading to the slaughter of animals in the name of Hinduism, by a congregation belonging to the latter category who seem to have not been educated in true Hindu religious practices. The Hindu Maha Sabha in a press release has expressed its opposition to the awful practice, unbecoming of a religious sect standing in the name of Hinduism, a faith with a doctorine of love and kindness.

I am of the view that the slaughter of animals as a Hindu religious ritual need to be done away with. The decision of course, has to be taken by the Hindu world.


The forgotten Anderson Flats

The National Housing and Development Authority and the Minister should be congratulated for undertaking and completing successfully, the renovation of the Maligawatte Flats. Some time earlier the De Zoyza Flats complex was renovated much to the relief and delight of its residents. As much as it has won the confidence of the Flat dwellers of these two complexes, it has also restored their self-respect as they were compelled to live under the most dismal conditions.

One would now wish to draw the attention of the young and dynamic minister to the squalid conditions prevailing in the major housing complexes situated in exclusive surroundings at Park Road, Colombo 5 and Bambalapitiya also known as the Anderson Flats Narahenpita and the Bambalapitiya Flats. The two complexes occupy a vast acreage of land.

The Anderson Flats which spread across from Kirula Road end of Park Road is nearly 50 years old and house close upon three to four thousand or even more occupants who live in squalid conditions, with no privacy as its road network is open to public transport. No renovations have ever been made to any of these flats for the past so many years and most of them are in a very bad condition.

This land was a part of the Anderson Golf Links of colonial times and one may suggest that as it is prime property, it could be sold or leased to a sound and steady land developer to pull down these old flats and build new high rise flats with first preference given to the present flat dwellers and the balance sold to others. This will generate additional income for the government. These flats are actually an eye-sore today and one hopes that this letter would catch the eye of those who matter and give it their earnest consideration.


Illegal business at Bambalapitiya Flats

One condition in allocating apartments in the Bambalapitiya Flats by the National Housing Authority, is that the apartments cannot be used to run business activities. But several businesses have come up in this housing scheme. One such business is a Taxi Service whose owner park his taxis causing inconvenience to the residents. He has started using the front of Block B too for parking there, distributing the privacy of the residents.

Though the residents have reported to the housing authorities and the housing authorities have written to the taxi owner to move out the taxis and stop operating the business, the owner carries on as usual. Even the Bambalapitiya Police has been informed. The taxi business is not a registered one and the taxi drivers of the taxi service involved are a rule to themselves. This should please be stopped. I hope that this appeal will reach the authorities concerned so that the problem faced by the residents will be ended.


Health hazard in suburban Colombo

I am a frequent visitor to Sri Lanka from Australia and have seen the progress made by the country in keeping roads and other public places such as beaches and parks clean. The regular garbage collection in cities and suburbs sponsored by the government and the respective municipal/town councils has made a significant difference to the sanitary situation.

I have however noticed two major health issues in many suburbs of Colombo and particularly in Mt. Lavinia where I live. First, the increase in the canine population and their droppings along roads and beaches most of which are not cleaned for days unless washed away by rains. Some dog owners who walk dogs, do no take any responsibility to clean unlike in countries like Australia where it is mandatory to collect dog litter in cellophane bags to avoid penalties. Making dog owners personally responsible to do the right thing is a must. A dog registration scheme together with an awareness campaign and a monitoring system to check littering including penalties for offenders could minimize this problem.

The second is the flow of highly contaminated and toxic refuse along suburban drains. This is a health hazard in an environment where incidence of dengue fever is still current. The contaminated water spreads revolting stenches and pollutes the environment. Regrettably some households and business establishments are responsible for releasing such polluted water into the drains. The local authorities could address this problem by being more pro-active to make residents aware of the dangers and mobilize support to influence offenders to cease such practices. The drains also should be covered where necessary to avoid environmental pollution and spread of disease.


Cricket - will its glamour fade away?

Cricket is a game that most sports enthusiasts love and enjoy. It is played throughout the world. Cricket is a game which gives maximum enjoyment and special skills to those who play the game through their hearts and concentration. Cricket has carry-over values. When cricket is played there should be a spirit of joyous adventure, there should be colour, enthusiasm and specially as the crux of the matter there should be character in the play. It also should concern gaiety, daring and the spirit of sacrifice. Without these things cricket will be a dead thing made up for losers.

There are many deplorable situations in present day cricket. For example, let us focus our attention on match fixing. Some cricketers engage playing cricket as a business and abuse the game to earn a quick buck.

They also spoil their character, lose the enjoyment, colour, spirit and bring out dullness throughout the game. Because of this situation cricket is becoming highly commercialized – playing for money. One of the other present day demerits is that cricketers are appearing for brand names and advertisements. This breed of cricketers use this game as a means to be famous among people and to mislead the game. As I mentioned earlier due to these reasons the game of cricket has become a dead thing.

In my opinion, in the game there should be a sparkling spirit. Cricket should be an inspiring game to the people without any age difference.

To have the joyous moments which could be enjoyed with sunshine in the faces of those who play. The players should bring life vigour and enthusiasm into the game with their maximum efforts. Cricket is not something about gaining runs at all, but is about the spirit of the players.

Our life is short we should gain happiness without abusing the game.


Attack on Catholic pilgrims in Vellankani

Hot on the heels of the order issued by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to send back a Sri Lankan football team visiting Chennai 184 Catholic pilgrims were attacked in Vellankani, a shrine revered by Catholics. It is apparent that these incidents are triggered off by actions of a politician who is acknowledged as a sympathizer of the LTTE movement which is banned in India. The Indian External Affairs Ministry has sent a polite note to the effect that the safety of the Sri Lankans will be looked after. The Sri Lankan government has issued a travel advisory notice that Sri Lankans should not visit Chennai. Is this all that the two governments can do? This is a clear case of incitement by an Indian politician which has resulted in the unruly behaviour of the mob and I am sure that the laws in India do not condone acts of this nature. Sport and religion are poles apart from politics and there is no justification for acts of this nature.

The footballers entered Chennai on a valid visa issued by the central government and how can a mere Chief Minister send them back? What was the provocation? This is a violation of a Human Right and the governments of both countries should view this situation in a serious light, as this acts amounts to misuse of power and authority by a Chief Minister. The Sri Lankan government should lodge an immediate protest with the Indian government. When it was alleged in the recent past that some Indian fishermen were harassed in Sri Lankan waters there was a strong protest from the Indian government. At that point there was no detente then between the two nations.

It is obvious that this female politician who is acknowledged to be a thug is trying to embarrass the Indian government but the rule of law in a country must be adhered to and punitive action implemented irrespective of the persons breaking the law as the situation is bound to get much worse perhaps even resulting in some deaths, if not nipped in the bud.

The central government has a role to play if international relations are likely to be affected and if there is a violation of a Human Right. This is clearly laid down in the UN Charter. It is imperative that the Indian government does not take up the position of a passive observer as the responsibility to provide safe passage and uninterrupted travel to visitors accepted by them, is that of the Central government

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