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Poson desecrated
The month of Poson celebrates the advent of Buddhism to the country. The essence of Buddhism, the religion which shaped the socio-cultural legacy of the country, is non-violence. Deer, the animal symbolic of innocence, is closely connected with the ideals of non-violence and Buddhism.
The story of Buddhism's entry to the country turned on its head. This animal was shot and killed in proximity to the ancient temple of the Tooth in Polonnaruwa
Sadly in the country’s medieval capital -Polonnaruwa- the month of Poson was desecrated by the brutal killing of the largest deer living in the vicinity of the quadrangle of the ancient temple of the Tooth Relic –one of the 3 temples where the Tooth Relic was safeguarded.
A herd of deer with their leader in the front was crossing the road in the vicinity of the ancient monument. The herd was making its way to the Parakrama Samudraya a few hundreds of metres away, when its leader was hit by bullets of an automatic weapon.
Two of the animals which were shot are loaded into a police vehicle
A few other deer too met with a similar fate in the vicinity of the Rankoth Vehera Stupa. People in the area wonder who, other than the police, members of civil defence force and wild life officials, carry this type of weaponry amidst the ancient monuments in the sanctuary.
They say day-in and day-out animals are killed in this sanctuary and it would not be long before whole herd numbering between 150-200 would be wiped out. Villagers say it appears that the weapons meant to protect these innocent animals are now being turned against them.
Villagers carry the carcass to a police vehicle
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