Sri Lanka: Munneswaram animal sacrifice halted

Major News in <Daily News> : Munneswaram animal sacrifice halted

Presence of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics had bearing:

Acceding to a request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, tomorrow’s animal sacrifice at Munneswaram Kaali Kovil has been halted.

The decision was taken by kovil administrators considering the Exposition of the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in the country, Munneswaram Sri Badra Kali Amman Kovil Kaali chief custodian Muththu Shivapaada Sundaram said. Over 200 animals were to be sacrificed at the annual feast of the Sri Badra Kali Amman temple. The sacrifice was slated for tomorrow.

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva vowed to stage a sathyagraha to prevent the sacrifice.

The minister last year entered the Kovil premises and forcibly removed over 700 goats and fowls slated to be sacrificed. Therefore the feast was held without the ritual.

Animal rights activists and Buddhists along with other religious groups vehemently voiced their oppostion to the animal sacrifice. The All Ceylon Hindu Congress issuing a media release condemning the sacrifice described it as a cruel and sinful act. Minister Mervyn addressing a media conference said the President had requested a halt to the animal sacrifice at the Kali kovil and the matter ended there. “I myself halted this cruel act last year.

I know Godness Kali very well while I know devils also. I know how to deal with them,” the Minister said.

Ven Prof Kumburugamuwe Wajira Thera said killing animals denigrates a country’s morals. “According to the teachings of the Buddha, it is not permitted to harm any animals,” he said. “There is a religious awakening throughout the country. People consider the Buddha has arrived in the country for the fifth time. Hench such sacrifices will be a black mark to the country’s moral image,” the Thera said. He said under Act No 03 of 1893, the British government had taken action to stop harming animals.

[Spare animals during Kapilavastu Relics Exposition – President]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa requests that animal sacrifices not be made, especially during the Kapilavastu Relics Expositions, Presidential Spokesman Bandula Jayasekera said.

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