By Hemamala Wickramage

Home they say, is where the heart is and nothing can be as joyous as coming back home after being away for years. There were tears of joy and relief as the army's prisoners of war, freed at last, came to Colombo.

As a goodwill gesture in improving and strengthening the prevailing air of peace the LTTE leadership allowed the release of 10 prisoners of war (POWs) last week.

The ten released included three security personnel and seven civilian seamen who were on board the ships MV Nissen and MV Princess Cash. On January 23 they were handed over to the ICRC and afterwards reunited with their family after a wait of more than three years.

Theirs truly was an emotional homecoming.

Ten households in the country went through the touching experience of seeing their loved ones after a long absence. It was the time for smiles and tears of joy.

One such happily reunited family was that of the Seneviratnes from Kegalle. Seaman Panditharatne Mudiyanselage Buddhika Sajeewa Seneviratne (27) is the youngest son of T N Seneviratne Banda, an estate superintendent and Heen Menike Seneviratne a school teacher. He was on board the ship MV Princess Cash on that fateful day in August 1998.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Buddhika recounted the events that took place. "Our voyage began quite calmly. We were carrying cargo that weighed 6000 tons from Colombo to Kankasanthurei," he began.

There were 22 crew on board, 18 were of Indian origin and the rest were four Sri Lankans. The ship was owned by G K Investments, Dubai and managed locally through the Goodwill Shipping Company Pvt. Ltd.

The first indication of trouble was after the Indian chief engineer on board instructed Buddhika to go inside the engine-room and to slow down the engine. "The time was around 2 a.m. then" recalls Buddhika.

The ship had been sailing at eight knots per hour when Buddhika heard a commotion on the deck.

The men on board were told around 10 sea tiger boats surrounded them. The captain of the ship quickly alerted the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) a chopper hovering around.

It was routine practice for airforce choppers to constantly monitor cargo ships sailing around the sea off the coast of Mullaithivu area for possible tiger attacks.

The Indian captain was given the instruction that every skipper dreads: "Prepare to abandon ship."

"But it was too late by then, the LTTE sea tiger cadres were already on board. Our first thoughts were that they were navy personnel from the Sri Lankan Navy as they were wearing similar uniforms," recollects Buddhika.

A thousand thoughts crossed his mind at that time he said. They were thoughts of a violent clash or even death. He said he quickly went down to the engine room and stayed there until the captain summoned all his crew up on the deck by which time the sea tigers had taken full control of the ship. The SLAF choppers repeatedly warned the ships' crew to abandon ship.

"The Princess was now in shallow waters. Sea tigers let it run aground. Things were happening so fast. The SLAF warnings were an indication that their minds were made up on destroying the vessel," said Buddhika.

Whilst quickly unloading part of the cargo on board the ship, Buddhika and the 21 other crew members were also transferred into the sea tiger boats.

Once the crew was off the ship, the SLAF dropped two bombs on the Princess. In a split second the ship went up in flames.

"At that point, I could hardly believe this was actually happening to us. I didn't even have the slightest idea of such a dramatic end to our journey, which began so calmly off the still waters of Colombo harbour," said Buddhika.

After their capture they were brought to the Mullaithivu beach. There were about 50 to 60 sea tiger personnel on the beach. "We were treated to thosai and tea by LTTE's women wing cadres," recalled Buddhika.

"They were very friendly towards us. Despite the impression that most people might have of them, to be honest, I myself was quite surprised at the amicable manner in which they welcomed us."

After the captives were taken to a hotel in Mallavi upon which point all of the 18 Indian crewmen were released. The remaining four Sri Lankans were taken to LTTE's political base in Mallavi where they stayed for a few days.

According to Buddhika the ICRC was promptly notified of their plight. Within as early as four days all of the captives' immediate families were notified.

That marked the beginning of the families' ordeal to save the lives of their loved ones.

Meanwhile, their life spent in captivity began in Kilinochchi. "We were housed in a large coconut estate of about 18 acres. There were eight small houses made of thatch.

Speaking of the time spent in Kilinochchi Buddhika stressed they were never ever physically harmed by the LTTE. All three daily meals were supplied. "There were people to cook for the 30 prisoners detained there," said Buddhika. "We were given all kinds of food. If it was rice for lunch, it was pittu or string hoppers for dinner," he said with a smile.

However it was important for them to keep themselves occupied to take their minds off the agony of being away from their loved ones and for an indefinite period of time. "We built four beds for ourselves to sleep in. The ICRC supplied us with mattresses and mosquito nets," he said.

Buddhika said he wanted to thank the ICRC for the care given to them during their difficult time. "We were allowed recreational activities. The ICRC supplied us with tennis and badminton rackets. As keeping fit was important for we were given weight lifting equipment as well."

According to Buddhika prompt medical attention was given to the POW's whenever needed. "I suffered from malaria on eight occasions and was taken to Kilinochchi hospital for treatment," he said with gratitude.

In the meantime, parents back home were struggling endlessly to get their children freed. Buddhika's mother had done everything from Bodhi Poojas to dozens of letters of appeal written to the government as well as to various foreign diplomatic missions.

The ICRC was the bridging link between the captives and the outside world. The ICRC delivered letters to and from their families once a week.

"Being in constant touch with my family helped enormously in strengthening me during the long ordeal. Hope was what kept me alive. I was forever hopeful of my release, but I didn't know when it was to be," said Buddhika.

On the night of January 22, their long awaited moment arrived. Bringing an end to the seemingly endless struggle of the captives' families it was announced that they were to be released the next day.

Buddhika and his fellow seamen spent a long sleepless night, the last they spent in Kilinochchi where they were held for more than three years. He said he felt an enormous sense of relief.

It was an extraordinary, unforgettable moment for his parents said Buddhika.

On January 23, the families of the captives embraced the released men with all proud and pulsating hearts and with tears running down their happy faces - The POW's were home, free at last.

For the whole of the next two days, his relatives visited Buddhika and dozens of friends who missed out on what would have been three wonderful years of Buddhika's young life.

Ending our conversation, Buddhika said he felt that peace was the desperate need of the hour. People on both sides had suffered enough. All parties responsible should make use of this golden opportunity that has now arrived. "We should make peace stopping further bloodshed and bringing peace of mind to thousands," Buddhika said.

By Romesh Tissainayagam

Late in the afternoon on Saturday, January 27, 1962 (exactly 40 years ago) the then Inspector General of Police (IGP), M. F. W. Abeykoon was relaxing at the Orient Club on Guildford Crescent, Colombo, when director, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Deputy Inspector General of Police S. A. `Jingle' Dissanayake called him with very disturbing news.

He had received information that a coup de tat had been planned to overthrow the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) government of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike precisely at midnight that night, when the PM was scheduled to be away in Kataragama. Dissanayake further informed the IGP that all plans had been finalised and the conspirators included certain very senior police and military gazetted officers. The operation was to be executed under the codename 'Holdfast.'

The IGP immediately called the head of metropolitan security, Colombo, Superintendent of Police (SP) Stanley Senanayake to the Orient Club. During the course of this emergency meeting Senanayake confirmed that he too had received information that such a coup was being planned for later that evening.

Abeykoon and Senanayake decided the matter was so critical that it had to be brought to the immediate notice of the Parliamentary Secretary (deputy minister) of Defence and External Affairs Felix Dias Bandaranaike.

The police officers met the parliamentary secretary at 7.00 p.m. at his official residence and briefed him on the situation. Bandaranaike acted swiftly and decisively. He left immediately for Temple Trees to appraise the Prime Minister of the impending disaster and receive orders on how the situation could be brought under control. With him went Abeykoon and Dissanayake.

By this time it was 8.00 p.m., just four hours from H-hour. The PM summoned the three service chiefs Major General Gerard Wijekoon, Commodore Rajan Kadirgamar and Air Commodore Lindsay Barker and the chief-of-staff of the army to report to Temple Trees. They were joined soon after by Stanley Senanayake and his father-in-law Member of Parliament P. DeS. Kularatne.

At this discussion Senanayake revealed that there was indeed a plan to overthrow the government that night. According to the plan the PM as well as members of her cabinet, Felix Dias Bandaranaike, secretary ministry of defence N. Q. Dias, the service chiefs, the IGP the director CID and certain leftist leaders were to be arrested and detained.

Senanayake said that the plot had been hatched by certain senior police officers including Senior DIG C. C. (Jungle) Dissanayake who was the brother of 'Jingle', DIG Sydney de Zoysa and SPs M. Jebanesam, David Thambiah and V. G. Perera and ASPs B. Johnpulle and Colin Van den Driesen.

Senanayake also said that senior officers of the army volunteer reserve - colonels Maurice de Mel, commandant volunteer force, and Derek de Saram, deputy commandant of the volunteers, were in charge of planning and executing the entire operation. They were assisted by colonels Basil Jesudasan, commander, 2nd volunteer signal regiment and W. Abraham, commanding officer 3rd field regiment of artillery.

He went on to elaborate that almost the entire officer corps of the 3rd regiment of the field artillery and 2nd volunteer antiaircraft regiment of artillery was also in the plot. It was also brought to light that the plan was conceived by Deputy Director of Land Development, Douglas Liyanage of the Ceylon Civil Service.

The conspirators had been holding regular meetings. A few weeks before, on January 10, Liyanage had addressed officers of the Ceylon Armoured Corps at the officers' mess at Rockhouse where he had urged them to lend a helping hand to those behind the coup. The objective of the coup was to install a new government that would steady the economy from complete ruin.

Senanayake went on to elaborate that on the previous day the conspirators were asked to report at the office of DIG Range I 'Jungle' Dissanayake for orders. They had met once again that evening, he said. The venue is of significance - it was in his (Senanayake's) own home! The cat was out of the bag. Senanayake himself was one of the conspirators, now squealing on his colleagues.

Dissanayake and de Zoysa were directing operations on the police side, while De Saram and de Mel were in charge of tasks delegated to the army. Coordination between the services was to be done by de Zoysa. Senanayake rounded off his statement by saying that at that very moment the final meeting was taking place at the residence of Jesudasan on Elibank Road, Hevelock Town.

Armed with this information Felix Dias Bandaranaike decided to act. Orders were issued to summon to Temple Trees the junior police and army officers who were known to be acting under the orders of Dissanayake and de Zoysa.

The time was well past 10 p.m. - less than two hours to H-hour - when these officers arrived at Temple Trees. Under interrogation by Felix Dias Bandaranaike, they confirmed that plans were indeed in place to overthrow the government later that evening.

Senanayake was correct when spilled the beans at Temple Trees - the conspirators had indeed gathered for the final meeting at the residence of Jesudasan. All officers had arrived on time. De Saram presided and the meeting lasted till 9.00 p.m.

Dissanayake informed them that police vehicles specially fitted with radio sets and loud hailers would be dispatched from police headquarters just after midnight to inform the general public that the government had been ousted and a temporary dictatorship had been established. Further, parliament was to be dissolved and the state placed under the direct control of Governor General Sir Oliver Goonatilleke.

Further, vehicles from the 2nd volunteer signals regiment fitted with radio transmission and receiving equipment would be sent to the Kelani bridge and the bridge at Kirulapone to intercept cabinet ministers and senior government officials from slipping out to avoid arrest. These vehicles were standby even at that very moment awaiting orders to move out to take positions at the bridges.

Jesudasan was in charge of the army reservists entrusted with the task of disconnecting the central telephone exchange in Colombo and also taking over Radio Ceylon. He mentioned that 15 - 20 army despatch riders, fully armed on motorcycles, were standing by at Torrington Square to storm Radio Ceylon once the password 'Holdfast' was given.

Army reinforcements from Panagoda cantonment were to be interdicted at all costs from entering the city should the conspiracy come to light and the government attempt bringing down units loyal to it to counter the coup.

The duty officer that night at Armoured Corps headquarters at Rockhouse Camp, Mutwal was Major L. P. Joseph. He was among the conspirators under instructions to have a formation of armour on stand by. Joseph had done his part exceedingly well. Under the cover of darkness he had moved out a sabre troop of armoured and scout cars from Rockhouse to Kirulapone bridge to prevent infantry units from Panagoda from entering the city.

It was important that not only the army but the police units deployed within the city should not be available to counter the coup. ASP Colin Van den Driesen, in charge of the depot police, Thimbirigasyaya, had already issued 378 rounds of Stirling, and Sten machine gun ammunition to the police parties that had been entrusted their duties by the conspirators.

Van den Driesen had also managed to siphon out fuel from all the vehicles parked at the Depot Police. This was to ensure that in the event the IGP ordered the police to crush the coup, they would not have had transport to move out of barracks.

Dissanayake went on to say that the PM, ministers, the army commander and others were to be arrested shortly after midnight. Once they were arrested the parties carrying out the arrests were to proceed to the army headquarters on Lower Lake Road. The unit on duty that night would be made up of the 3rd field artillery regiment commanded by Abraham.

At the barrier at army headquarters were handpicked loyalists of the conspirators. The guard officer for the night, Captain Bob Poulier, had already informed de Saram that he was already in position at the entrance to the guardroom. The password for the parties bringing detainees was Yathura (key). Once inside, they were to proceed to the ammunition magazine, which was an underground bunker and hold the prisoners there until further instructions.

Express instructions were issued that none of the ministers should be harmed because it was feared that Felix Dias Bandaranaike, who was hated by the armed forces might be summarily dealt with while in military custody.

All the officers involved in the coup were to accomplish the duties entrusted to them by 3.30 in the morning and report to Queen's House. Even during the other meetings held in the run-up to D-day, it was emphasised by the coup leaders that all concerned were to report to Queen's House, the official residence of Governor General Oliver Goonatilleke, and that the entire operation had the blessings of people "at the very top."

The centre of operations of coup was police headquarters in the Fort, Colombo. Dissanayake and de Zoysa would take up positions at the central operations room shortly after 11.00 p.m. This would be done after relieving the designated duty officer for the night at police headquarters V. T. Dickman, and replacing him with Johnpulle who was a confidant of the conspirators.

The first of the arrest was to be effected at 9.30 p.m. It would be the arrest of Neal de Alwis, MP for Baddegama from his residence. Meanwhile, a police party under SP David Thambiah was stationed on the approach road to Kataragama should the PM decide to go ahead with her visit to the temple. But by now 'inside' sources from Temple Trees had confirmed that her trip had been called off. Moreover these inside sources had ensured that two armoured cars detailed for Temple Trees security were surreptitiously withdrawn.

All officers and men loyal to the conspirators moving on their assignments were to be in uniform and fully armed either with semiautomatic weapons or repeaters. As a further precaution, Dissanayake instructed the Mirihana police and six police stations of the Homagama division to be on standby.

The briefing was adjourned at around 9.30 in the evening.

When it appeared the entire operation would go according to plan, DIG Dissanayake received a telephone call at his residence. It was confirmation of a fear that had been there at the back of the minds of the conspirators ever since the plot was originally conceived - the possibility of 'quislings' within the group. One of the closest confidants among them had turned out to be a Judas and changed sides.

Senanayake who was regarded right throughout as a true comrade had not only decided at the last moment to spill the beans, but made sure his associates were exposed. He had first informed his father-in-law Member of Parliament P. DeS. Kularatne of the plan. Following this he briefed the IGP and director CID, who till then were completely in the dark about the plot. Later, he would play a significant role in the arrest and interrogation of the conspirators. He was richly rewarded for his loyalty to the government when he was appointed IGP in 1971, during Mrs. Bandaranaike next government.

When Dissanayake and De Zoysa became aware of the 'quisling' in their midst it was too late to take measures to neutralise it. There was only one thing to do - call off 'Holdfast.' An emergency message was sent from one of the police cars to all those involved that the coup was called off.

Back at Temple Trees, before the conspirators had decided to cancel 'Holdfast,' interrogation of the junior officers brought to the surface new facts. Just then a message was received which confirmed that at least the preliminaries of 'Holdfast' were in the process of execution. ASP Dickman had been relieved of his post by someone who was described as a conspirator.

That put to an end any dithering. The PM ordered the arrest of Dissanayake and Johnpulle. In the meantime, platoons of the navy's internal security personnel were detailed to guard Temple Trees, since no one was sure how deep the conspiracy had penetrated the ranks of the army and police.

The police party detailed to arrest Dissanayake arrived at his residence at 11.30 p.m., a mere half hour to what would have been H-hour, if the coup had not been called off. It found Dissanayake in uniform and armed with a 9 mm Lugar revolver leaving his residence with another senior police officer.

The inspector-in-charge arrested the two. While being led away, the second police officer was seen throwing a pouch into the shrubbery. This was later found to contain ammunition for the Lugar. The two were detained at Welikade jail. Around 4 a.m. Johnpulle was arrested. The next day saw de Saram, Maurice de Mel and his brother Royce, who was a rear admiral in the navy, and Liyanage arrested.

It was decided that the cabinet should be in charge of the investigation. Though this job is customarily handled by the CID, its present director was 'Jingle' Dissanayake, brother of one of the prime accused 'Jungle' Dissanayake. Further, some of the police officers arrested were among the most senior in the service and could not be interrogated by their subordinates.

Colonel de Saram was prepared to take the 'rap' for the planning and execution of the entire affair. He claimed that he alone was responsible for the attempted coup and everyone else who played any part in it had done so under his orders. This was despite what had been said earlier that orders had come from the 'very top' and that all officers had to report to Queen's House

Within a week all the key players had been rounded up and charged in court for attempting to illegally overthrow a legally elected government. They were found guilty and handed down sentences of imprisonment . It would be six years before their appeal to the Privy Council in the United Kingdom was upheld and they were acquitted.

The consequences of the attempted coup were harsh not only who were convicted of it, but even for suspected collaborators although many were totally innocent. Police and military officers, especially those from the minority communities, were harassed and denied promotions by the SLFP government through the active participation of the PM and Felix Dias Bandaranaike.

For instance, Brigadier Russell Heyn, second in seniority in the army was overlooked for the post of commander even though his loyalty was unquestioned and Colonel Richard Udugama, 13th in the list of seniority but a favorite of the party in power, was made the commander.

Moreover, there was also a massive structural reform in the army to prevent such threats in the future. The 3rd regular field regiment of artillery and the 2nd volunteer antiaircraft regiment of artillery that were most integrally involved in plotting the coup were permanently disbanded. The officers and men loyal to the state from the 1st regular antiaircraft and 3rd field artillery were grouped together to form the 4th field regiment of artillery in 1963. The 2nd volunteer antiaircraft and 2nd volunteer signal corps were brought to form the National Guard regiment.

Thus ended a brave, but doomed attempt to overthrow a government that was seen by the elite of that time as pursuing a policy of economic ruination coupled with aggression towards the minorities. The coup's failure seems to have persuaded the military however that seizing power is not an option open in this country, because there have been no serious attempts after that to do so despite the enormous transgressions that elected governments have been guilty of.

By Ranee Mohamed

Dr. Palitha Kumarasinghe who gave the joy of a new life to over 15,000 families died on Saturday January 19, giving unbearable sorrow to his own family.

"I like to hear the first cry of babies," Dr. Kumarasinghe told me on April 11, 2001 during an interview he had with this newspaper. "It makes me happy to hear them cry," he confided. But today, the tears of all those who loved him dearly would have made this very sensitive doctor truly unhappy.

Patients from the outskirts of Colombo who did not know that their doctor was gone came to the Nawaloka hospital, Colombo and waited for him. The doctor who usually strolled down the corridors of the hospital at approximately 4.45 p.m. did not come during the second week of this month. He was a patient there instead. But few people knew this, least of all his own patients, and even when he was dead, some expected him to walk into the consultation room, cheerful as ever.

Shocked women, heavy in body and heavier in mind left the hospital with a broken hearts after learning that their gynaecologist who listened to their babies' heart beat had died.

It is Tuesday morning and at Dr. Kumarasinghe's Kandewatte road residence in Battaramulla and the aluminum chairs have been stacked away in a corner after the previous day's funeral. Dr. Kumarasinghe who died Saturday was cremated Monday.

It is strange how one refuses to accept death. I expected to see Dr. Kumarasinghe there, cordially inviting everyone in, and perhaps saying something very teasing to me. I expected him to walk in from somewhere. Instead, they brought his ashes home. In keeping with his wishes, his ashes were thrown into the Kelani river.

His wife Shanthi and daughters Iranthi and Samanthi are inconsolable. Dr. Palitha Kumarasinghe, MBBS (Cey), MS (Cey) FRCOG (Gr. Brit), FOOG (Sri Lanka) was admitted to hospital following sudden heart attack. Thereafter, he was put on a ventilator. He was in hospital for a few days but had never quite regained consciousness. The last thing he had expected was to die so suddenly. It is ironical that this doctor died at the very place he worked so hard to bring new life into this world.

"He came after work from the operating theatre on Saturday, January 5. He then went to a party with my mother in the evening and returned in the early hours of January 6," said Iranthi, who is also a doctor.

Dr. Kumarasinghe had then felt breathless early Sunday morning and had himself arranged to see a cardiologist. "He told us that he had arranged everything. My father never troubled us with any of his problems, not even about his health. But he knew everything that was going on in our lives. He was so busy, but he used to always call us even after surgery, in the theatre or during consultations," said Iranthi.

Iranthi who is the mother of a four-month-old daughter said that her father looked after her too during her entire pregnancy. "He used to tell me often that he loved his job, that his patients were his life. He used to advise me and my husband, who is also a doctor, that it is not only medicine that cures, but loving words. He told me that to treat patients you had to get to know them," said Iranthi.

Many accuse Dr. Kumarasinghe of overworking himself. But he seemed to have had no other alternative. On each working day Dr. Kumarasinghe was forced to see about 50 patents an evening and there were still requests by others to consult him.

"My husband was such a happy person. He loved his work and he loved good food. He lived his life to the fullest," said his grief-stricken wife Shanthi.

In fact, Dr. Kumarasinghe, reportedly had a weakness for fast food. "He took care of everybody but he failed to take care of himself," said Iranthi in tears.

Dr. Kumarasinghe, who was a teetotaller believed that nothing bad was going to happen to him for he brought only happiness to people. Loving, kind and generous are words that almost everybody used to describe this soft-spoken gynaecologist.

His younger daughter Samanthi, is a lawyer, married to a lawyer and is the mother of a three-week-old baby. Thus, Dr. Kumarasinghe had two babies in his own family - a four-month-old granddaughter and a three- week-old grandson.

"We live opposite our parent's home and every morning before he left to work used to walk into our homes and wake our babies up. When they started to cry he got so frightened that he would leave, laughing, asking us to soothe them," reminisced Iranthi.

What made Dr. Kumarasinghe very happy was to have babies he had delivered brought to him several months later. But few patients had the time to do that.

"Birth," Dr. Kumarasinghe once told me, "is a wonderful experience. It is a great event for any family." Dr. Kumarasinghe always spoke of birth and people were so busy listening to him. To them, he was life personified.

He never spoke of death but died so suddenly leaving his family, his patients and the entire Sri Lankan medical community brokenhearted.

But a gynaecologists like Dr. Kumarasinghe can never die. He will continue to live on in every gurgle and every smile that he has helped to bring into this world.

By George Tillekeratne

It is perhaps a paradox profoundly true that in a world seething with joy and hatred some people tend to believe anything and everything on face value without analysing them logically. Even what appears to be palpably false is accepted as the truth without any examination. It may sometimes be a strange quirk of human nature. In this regard, I quote below Lord Buddhas advise to Prince Kalama.

"Prince Kalama do not believe what I said, thinking that it is correct because I said it. Do not believe anything because it is an age-old belief coming down from generation to generation. Do not believe anything, thinking that it was said by ancient religious teachers. Do not believe anything because it is stated in the Tripitaka. Do not believe anything said by your teacher because he is Bhikku.

"Examine what you heard thoughtfully and think carefully whether it is correct, whether it is of some benefit for the human being and whether it has been said thoughtfully with purity of mind and after you have examined and understood it clearly that it will be of benefit to you and to the others as well then only should you accept it."

Sometime ago the erudite monk Dr. Walpola Rahula lamented that Buddhists have Bodhi poojas instead of Buddha poojas thus relegating Lord Buddha to second place and giving pride of place to the Bo tree which is a thoughtless member of the plant kingdom. Buddhists have Bodhi poojas expecting relief from disasters etc. as if a tree is capable of granting relief to human beings in distress; which is itself a thoughtless act. If you ponder upon it carefully and intelligently you will not believe in such fantasy.

Being a member of the plant kingdom it is only sensitive to external stimuli and cannot do more. To believe that it is capable of granting relief from distress is being apish. Unlike in the case of Buddha pooja no merit is accrued to the devotee for offering poojas to a thoughtless tree.

When an offering is made to a Buddha however, it is not only for that particular Buddha, but it is intended for all past, present and future Buddhas and the merit accrued from it is said to be immense. Lord Buddha has never told his disciples to worship the Bo tree but the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha only. The tripe gem. In fact he has said that after his death his Dhamma should be considered as supreme and has never mentioned the Bo tree for any religious consideration.

The advocates of Bodhi poojas adduce the argument that in gratitude for providing shelter from sun, wind and rain the Buddha spent his first week after enlightenment gazing at the Bo tree without batting an eyelid, and that we too in turn should worship the Bo tree.

This is a complete distortion of facts and a departure from the truth. Bodhisatvas or aspirants to Buddhahood sit under large trees having canopies which provide some protection in a limited form from the sun, wind and rain. They sit under them in mediation.

However there is no sanctity attached to such trees. In fact, all previous Bodhisatvas also sat under large trees -- not only Bo trees but other types of trees too. None of those trees have been venerated. After they reached enlightenment such trees were a forgotten lot. They were never venerated or considered holy. This is a fact which cannot be disputed.

Such trees grow in the wild like the Bo tree in question, and the Bodhisatva just sat under it. To prove my argument, I would like to refer to the book titled Bauddha Dharshanaya Saha Sanscrutyhiya written by professors Chandima Wijebandara who appears often on T.V. Buddhist panel discussions, and H.M.M. Moratuwegama.

They are two eminent persons well versed in the Dhamma and who has written this book after a perusal of numerous Buddhist texts. In page 13 of this book it is stated that the Buddha spent only four weeks after he attained enlightenment in peaceful serenity. The first week he has spent under the Bo tree in the same posture with his back to it contemplating on his valuable discourse the Patticchcha Samupadaya or the doctrine of dependent origination in ascending and descending order. He was not gazing at the Bo tree without batting an eyelid as mistakenly believed.

The second week has been under the Ajapal Nuga tree, the third week under the Muchalinda alias Midella tree and the fourth week under a Kiripalu tree.

The authors say that the Buddha spent only four weeks under the said trees and that someone had later interpolated another three weeks to say that the Buddha spent seven weeks in peaceful contemplation. It is therefore crystal clear that the Buddha never sat gazing at the Bo tree as mistakenly believed or made to believe.

After he departed from the place Lord Buddha has never revisited the Bo tree and neither did he ask his disciples or followers to pay homage to the Bo tree.

Now let us examine the life style of the Buddha. It is said that he slept for only two hours a day and the rest of the day was spent on the moral befuddlement of the people His aim was to see that people attained nirvana through meditation. To say such a Buddha wasted one week gazing at the Bo tree is unbelievable. It is sheer baloney I would say.

Another practice among Buddhists is to wrap a yellow robe around the branch of a Bo tree. The Buddha himself designed the yellow robe to be worn only by himself and his disciples. Is the Bo tree equal to the Buddha to be draped by a yellow robe? At Sunday schools it is taught that the Bo tree is enlightenment by saying Bodiya num Budubavai.

There is nothing in this world which can be compared to the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha as stated by the Buddha himself. Yang Kinchi Rathang Loke Vijjathi Vivida Putu Rathana Buddha Samang Naththi Thasma Sotti Bavantu Te, the meaning of which is that there nothing in this world which can be compared to the Buddha. So how can you equate a thoughtless Bo tree to enlightenment or Buddhahood? Lord Buddha possessed great wisdom or Gnas as they are called including the Dasa Bala Gna or the ten great wisdoms. He also possessed the Mahakarunasamaptti Gan which only a buddha has.

All this great wisdom is a part and parcel of enlightenment and is therefore a part and parcel of the Buddha himself. Now to equate a thoughtless Bo tree to Lord Buddha and enlightenment is utter nonsense. The Bo tree being a member of the plant kingdom can respond to external stimuli affecting its growth but it can do nothing beyond it. It is a sad sate of affairs to see Bo trees that spring from the droppings of crows being venerated and Bodhi poojas offered to it. Can you call such trees sacred?

Lord Buddha is the only religious teacher who said that people of other faiths who lead meritorious lives would be reborn in low spiritual planes or higher spiritual pains depending on the merit gained by them. The beings on low spiritual planes often take refuge in Bo trees. When people offer Bodhi poojas to such Bo trees they offer merit to beings in the Bo trees. These beings accept the merit offered to them and get elevated in the spiritual world. It may be that some of them are capable of granting relief to persons in distress who offer Bodhi poojas to the Bo tree seeking relief.

Unlike Buddhists in Sri Lanka, their counterparts in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Nepal appeal directly to the Buddha for relief and favours. They do not pray to gods or offer Bodhi Poojas in the firm belief that all Buddhas after their sojourn in this world take refuge in a "Buddhas realm" and that they could therefore assist humankind.

This seems to have some relevance to an age-old belief among Buddhists that just before the end of the world Buddha relics all over the world would unite to form the living Buddha who would deliver his last sermon.

I cannot understand why a Bo tree is referred to as "Bodinvahansa". The word "Vahansa" is a very highly respected form of address to the King and Queen when they are addressed as "Devayanvahansa," Lord Buddha as "Budurajananvahansa" and the member of the Maha Sanga as "Swaminvahansa". They are all human beings except for Lord Buddha who is superhuman, being above all men and gods.

However all chaityas, some with Buddha and arahath relics enshrined in them, are commonly referred to as "chaityarajaya". The Ruanweli maha chaitya, the most sacred of all chaityas since it has a Buddha relic enshrined in it, is referred to as Ruanaweli maha chaitya, but a thoughtless Bo tree is referred to as Bodinvahansa. Here pride of place has been given to a Bo tree ignoring the chaityas most of which contain relics.

In order to buttress my arguments I would like to quote two verses from the Dhammapada - Buddha Vaggo, verse 10.

Bahu ve Sranga Yanthi

Pabbathani Vanananicha

Arma - Rukha Chetiyani

Manussa Bhaya Tajjita.

This literally means, "People afflicted by fear seek the protection of rocks, woods, animals trees and chaityas."

Verse 11:

Nethang ko saranang kehamnag

Nethan saranamuttaman

Nethan sarana magamma

Sabba dukka pamuchchati

This means: "But this does not give any assistance to man, it does not help him to overcome his suffering or fear."

These two verses prove beyond any doubt that Lord Buddha never advocated the worship of trees. As such, how could one say that Lord Buddha spent the first week after enlightenment gazing at the Bo tree in gratitude without even battering an eyelid?

By Risidra Mendis

The tears in the eyes of a dying animal is enough to put anybody off from consuming beef. As they whimper and moan in their last breath, one cannot help but wonder why hundreds of animals are slaughtered in the most gruesome manner in a predominantly Buddhist country like ours.

However, for the butchers and farmers rearing the animals every piece of meat and other parts of the animal's carcass fetches a price. A price so great that the cruelty involved in slaughtering an animal is of no importance.

While animal rights groups fight with a lot of tenacity to alleviate the cruelty to animals by changing the law, most of their arguments have fallen on deaf ears. The slaughter goes on. The cattle are brought from outstation areas packed in lorries with no room to move. Most often the animals are stolen, but the culprits get away with their loot as the animal laws are not implemented. In many cases pregnant cows and calves are injured while being transported and lose their eyes, legs and tails in the process.

Cattle are dragged by their tails into slaughterhouses, with their legs tied. The animals are hit on the head to make them unconscious and their necks slit. While the blood drains out from the dying animals they are semiconscious and are aware of what is happening to them.

With chickens the cruelty is no better. The animals are packed into tiny cages with hardly room to breath and transported to the slaughterhouse. They are dragged by their legs, tied five in a bundle and taken into the market. Back in a tiny cage without food and water the animals are left until some insensitive human being walks past and decides the animal will make a good meal.

With the intention of providing a 'humane' method of slaughter for cattle, the CMC has come up with a plan to import a 'machine' from the Netherlands. This piece of equipment is believed to slaughter up to 500 animals a day. However, many animal rights activists question the method adopted by this machine to execute the operation. They feel that this is not 'humane' enough for these innocent animals. Suspicion has also been raised about the secrecy in importing this equipment.

"The public must be told if a decision has been taken to bring down such equipment to the country. Even the Maha Sangha has not been informed. I've asked for a copy of the feasibility report, but have not received one up to now," Sagarica Rajakarunanayake of Sathva Mithra said.

The 'modern abattoir' as it is known is to be set up in Dematagoda. What really goes on in such slaughterhouses abroad can be read in newspapers and on the Internet. According to whatever details that are known, the animal is led by electric probes to the slaughterhouse where it is hit on the head by a slug fired from a high pressure compressed air powered metal bolt. The animal is then hung by one leg and sent in a long conveyor belt. Not quite dead, the animal jerks and twists while slowly dying.

The urinary bladder is then punctured. A few seconds later three of the animal's feet and tail are cut off. The animal skinned next. Other parts of the animal's body is then slowly removed in preparation for food that we humans feed on. According to experts, even though the animals are supposed to be dead by the time they reach the stage of being skinned, in most cases this is not so.

"As an animal rights activist, I strongly object to Colombo Mayor Omar Kamil not being transparent about project. With no information passed on to the general public the municipality has gone ahead with the decision of constructing a modernised abattoir in Dematagoda, for the large scale production of meat," Rajakarunanayake said.

This government has announced that any decisions taken on issues regarding the Sinhala Buddhist community will be done in consultation with the Mahanayakes. Has the government asked the Maha Sangha for their opinion on this matter? If the meat demand for local consumption can be met in the country is it necessary to bring down such a machine from abroad? Is this government going to make Sri Lanka another Argentina, which is one of the leading meat exporters in the world.

"What we need is not a monster abattoir in Dematagoda, but small ones that can serve the communities while observing hygienic and humane methods of killing," Rajakarunanayake stressed.

"From what we know an agreement has already been signed by the Sri Lankan government to import this piece of equipment," an animal rights activist who wished to remain anonymous said.