Minister Mervyn Silva made a pledge before the deity at the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya that, he would ensure that cattle slaughter is completely halted in Sri Lanka.
Minister of Public Relations and Public Affairs, Mervyn Silva,made this pledge yesterday near the Wahalakade west door of the…
Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya whilst attending a function to inaugurate Sinharamulla Gramiya Bank – a multi service cooperative.
The Minister had said: “I came to Colombo from Beliatta in 1970. I came along with the children of the late D.A. Rajapaksa. About four years ago, I was appointed the Kelaniya Organizer of the SLFP of the Rajapaksas. As a Minister, I shall never change tracks. I wish to inform you that my Coordinating Secretary, Amal Rodrigo, will cease taking part in politics as of today. And while some of the developments I carried out in Kelaniya may have halted midway, this does not mean that anyone can appropriate the credit for the work I have done for Kelaniya.
“I was responsible for putting up the Kelanitissa Bridge which so many political leaders had been unable to accomplish for the last 40 years. The flyover at Thorana junction in Kelaniya was also constructed by me. When the Waragoda Road was being widened, an ex-judge opposed it. It was I who dared to break down his wall and widen the road. Even the wall of the former elections commissioner’s house was destroyed by me on behalf of the people and I developed the road. It is the father and not the workers in the house who should name the children. I will face any tsunami. My hair has still not turned grey.
“Among the Mahanayakes I revere, the Mahanayake of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is one. I greatly honour him. He is a prelate who does not talk unnecessary things, and has a backbone. When I was appointed the SLFP organizer and I came to Kelaniya, it was this Mahanayake who offered pansil to me. I hold all that in my memory with gratitude.
“During our childhood, our parents did not allow us to play with dogs, cats or cattle. I would cut off a pol piththa (coconut stem and leaf) and tie a rope, and play with it. That coconut stem has no life. I see my enemies like that coconut stem.
“I went to Munneswaram and stopped the animal sacrifices. Vas kavi was recited against me. They dashed coconuts on the ground; yet no harm befell me. When I was constructing the Kelaniya Shri Krishnu Upulwan Devalaya, they warned me to not build it as it will imperil me. But I did not heed that.
“The war ended with the completion of the construction of the devalaya. No leader of any government could build this devalaya. Because of the assistance given by the President, I could complete the construction.
“Today I am standing on this ground and making this pledge while looking at the deity of the Kelaniya. That pledge is that cattle slaughter in Sri Lanka shall be stopped. Towards this end, everyone’s support is necessary. I shall commence discussions with the Mahanayakes as well as Catholic, Muslim and Hindu religious dignitaries in this connection. No matter who says what, I shall move ahead with my discussions with the religious dignitaries.”
By Karunadasa Vithanagamage
Source: Ceylon Today (Sri Lanka)
