The final trumpet sounded, no Presidential pardon or reprieve came, the drive was conducted hush! hush! and 180 odd majestic symbols of our heritage were marched possibly to their doom. How long would death elude them, how many will be gunned down in the course of time, how many will die slow and agonising deaths at the hands of the most intelligent animals that roam this planet - man?
How many of us are ashamed to call ourselves 'human' when our fellowmen continue to hurt, maim and kill, not only our dumb companions on earth, but even, our very own kind?
Back to the subject we are on, Elephants. They were driven out as intruders into territory occupied by humans. But, who may we ask, who are the intruders? Who were the inhabitants of this piece of territory in the Moneragala District, over the past few centuries, before the Government in power in the late 1970's decided to carve out this forest reserve, and hand over to a commercial enterprise for a pittance of "Sugar"? Did the Kantalai and Hingurana Sugar Plantations that came into being several years before, contribute significantly to the National Economy to justify setting up Pelwatte or even Sevenagala? Were they not and are they not 'White Elephants' that displaced the 'Wild Elephants' to no significant purpose?
Coming back to Elephant drives, are the authorities blind to the fate of the magnificent Deduru herd that perished in the aftermath of several drives, or that magnificent Angunukulapelassa herd, pocketed between new formed human habitations without access to a corridor of escape, decimated, some most ignominiously over a period of a few years?
Now there is this talk of allocating 5000 Hectares from the Wasgomuwa National Park, a final retreat of the majestic Mahaweli herd, for human settlement. This would obviously lead to a new era of conflict between Man and Elephant, with the Elephant the ultimate loser. Oh! when will they ever learn!
Why are Societies set up to protect Wild Life, prevent cruelty to animals, protect environment etc., silent at this juncture? Are they waiting for another Deduru or Pelwatte disaster. Unless a protest is launched now, the Mahaweli/Wasgomuwa herd is doomed.
In a situation such as this, who is easier to translocate, Man or Beast? In human settlements of the recent past, man has ousted beast, and when beasts were able to move out early into remaining forests they even partially did so. But when they were pocketed in, they were at the mercy of humans. The only alternative to their ultimate destruction is provide corridors to allow them to commute between the remaining jungles, for Food and Water, thus minimising conflict with humans.
In the process, the intruders, humans, in their migratory paths will have to be translocated. Alternatively these animals will slowly but surely die.
Translocated man is the intruder. Is it not easier to persuade man to translocate, given similar living conditions, than forcing a wild beast to bow to the will of man! If conservation of the Elephant is our objective let the authorities give this a little thought. We can create more Pelwattes with money, but money cannot bring back a dead heritage.
Think about it, oh! great rulers of our land.
The letter in The Sunday Times of 25.8.96 on the subject 'Inland Fishing - A Threat to Buddhism" throws much light as to why all Buddhists should protest against the trade.
The letter which gives all details is quite self-explanatory on the issue. Every Buddhist should read this to understand its gravity. On the one hand Buddhism is propagated at all levels, while on the other hand anti- Buddhist activities are encouraged by the state itself under the pretext of employment and the usefulness of flesh for food.
Buddhist children are taught Dhamma in the Daham Pasalas and are expected to practice the Dhamma as it should be, while the parents are encouraged to rear inland fish to be killed for consumption. This process of rearing and killing would be a never-ending process.
At present the main source of fish for consumption is from the sea, where it is freely available. Only a particular group of people are engaged in the fish trade and the same people have carried on this trade over the years. In this respect it always had its limitations. However most of these people are non-Buddhists and confined to the coastal areas.
With the introduction of inland fishing it would expand to all villages and a large number of people involved in other trades are also bound to take to fish rearing, when it is especially encouraged and even funded by the state. This would produce large scale rearing of animals and killing them for their flesh. The first precept in Buddhism is 'do not kill' (Refrain from killing all beings, human and animals).
At present almost all non-Buddhists do kill animals for food and with this as an example those rearing fish would not hesitate to rear and kill other animals also. It is very likely that Buddhists who take to the trade would disregard Buddhism and even prefer to change their religion.
If the state can disregard the first precept as stated it could also disregard the fifth precept and promote and encourage the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor of all grades. The state has only to regularise what is being done illicitly. Here again to promote employment by means of manufacture and sale.
Inland fish rearing projects were started by the previous Government, but after some time with the protests of the Buddhist clergy and laymen, the continuation of these fish rearing projects were abandoned.
Hence it is time for the Buddhists clergy and the laymen once again to protest vehemently to the state to put a stop to this anti-Buddhist trade of rearing and killing.
I was travelling to Colombo recently and while on my way I observed certain matters, which I wish to spotlight so as to solicit the attention of the authorities concerned for urgent remedial measures in the national interest.
When I passed Kegalle it was about 8.00 a.m. and at that time street lights were burning in some sections of the town. This continued right along, I observed lights burning even at 10.00 a.m. in some areas. Powerful 250 watt M.V. lamps had not been switched off. Why this wastage of precious energy and due to whose neglect or irresponsibility is this taking place? This is callous wastage of our national resources. Probably this is a daily feature.
Most of the Clock Towers erected along the road are not functioning. Either they had stopped completely or were showing incorrect time. The Colombo-Kandy Road being the main and Important Highway, is being used by important personages. Economic Advisers, World Bank Officials, visiting dignitaries etc., frequent this road often. What opinion will they form on seeing so many public clocks in a state of neglect? I am sure it will not be a favourable one, much to the detriment of the whole nation. These clocks may be nobody's concern now. If the Local Authority of the area is entrusted the care and proper maintenance of these public clocks, I am certain that all of them will not be in a state of disorder at the same time.
Is Ayurvedic treatment a legally-accepted farce?
Having experienced a nagging back pain, I consulted a Lecturer of the University of Colombo Institute of Indigenous Medicine.
As I walked into the hospital for the first time in my life in search of Ayurvedic treatment, I was happy to note that there were many doctors, nurses and attendants in the hall with only a few patients, less than at a private nursing home. They were all receptive, pleasing and courteous. On the other hand, I was surprised to see a fairly long queue waiting to obtain their medicines, perhaps due to the shortage of dispensers and attendants.
I was given some 'Kashaya' (decoction) and two black 'Peti' (tablets) morning and evening every day from the day I was admitted. Different doctors visited the ward every day, and I got tired of describing my problems to every new face every day.
On my sixth day in the ward, the house officer, a lady doctor, visited the ward. She appeared to be a duty- conscious and a courteous and kind lady. Then on the eighth day the doctor I first consulted came to my room and after examining my file prescribed completely a different kind of 'Kashaya'. The new 'Kashaya' prescribed by my doctor was not given to me for three consecutive days, till the last day of my departure from this Ayurvedic Teaching hospital.
From the treatment I received I was more-or-less convinced to feel that the Ayurvedic doctors ('Vedamahathayas' clad in Western dresses and sporting on Western instruments such as stethoscopes and the sphyamomanometer) had gained only a little knowledge of the ancient and half-forgotten Eastern medical science called 'Ayurveda', which has no science of diagnosis whatsoever. They appeared to have a little knowledge of 'Unani' and a very little knowledge of Western medical science, too. "Little knowledge is dangerous" says an old adage and "Fools learn by experience" says another. I have to accept that I am a fool to learn this bitter truth by staying in the Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital at Rajagiriya.
My room-mate and I got into the habit of strolling along the corridors of the wards and in the garden. But what we saw was shocking. The Nurses' Quarters housed in a large building, donated by a philanthropist, was in a dilapidated condition with broken walls right along the road.
A beautifully-constructed water pond adjoining the hospital wards with a fountain in the centre has been totally neglected for years and is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. The fountain was more-or-less covered by shrubs and bushes, while the lawn around was full of 'Manna' grass and 'Illuk'. Inside the fountain itself, there was a jungle tree grown luxuriantly up to a height of about eight to nine feet. I was in doubt as to whether they had allowed all these jungle plants grow for the purpose of making some sort of 'Kashaya'.
There are other shortcomings inside the hospital itself. I do not know when it was last colour-washed or repaired. There were many cracks and crevices on the walls. Many of the commodes in the toilets were found broken and taps were leaking. Casual attendants are allowed to smoke 'beedi and cigarettes' and to throw the butts wherever they please.
I left the hospital on 27.06.96 to undergo Western treatment. I noticed several others also leaving the hospital after getting disgusted with unsuccessful treatment.
When I recollect all my experiences, the word 'Ayurveda' brings about a feeling of unsystematic, non- methodical and chaotic way of treatment, just as the administration of this leading Ayurvedic Hospital in the country. I hope that the authorities concerned will identify the problems and rectify them as early as possible.
More letters to the editor -Well done world Champs * What above Dave Whatmore? Moratuwa is Stinking * Inactivity of C.E.A. and Kotte UC
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