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.
Upali S. Jayasekera - Rajagiriya.
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.
N.D. Chandrasekera Colombo 5.
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.
Jayasinghe Colombo 4.
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.
Rodney Arambewela Mt. Lavinia
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.
Fathima Rushda Galle.
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
Anton Abeyesekera Colombo 5.
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