rapa
01-18-2008, 03:15 PM
The war against terrorism has influenced the Sri Lankan society in many ways. We always talk the bad effects of war. Now we are at the very last stage of winning the war against terrorism and this is good time to contemplate and carry whatever good things that Sri Lankan nation got due to the war. It may be simple things or qualities, but still matter if taken in good faith.
Due to terrorist threat to the Colombo harbor, the government declared the sea near the harbor as a banned zone for intruders including the fishermen. In south of the harbor, fishing has been prohibited even at the sea shore up to Kolpetty railway station. One of a positive effect of this has been the growth of fish in this area. The growth has been so evident that if one observes the sea in naked eyes from Kolpetty railway station to the south end of Gall face area (best seen at just north of the Kolpetty railway station from 6.00 to 10.00 in the morning) one can easily sees different range of fish. This appealing seen of fish, mostly blue colored fish around half a meter of length can be best witnessed in the early morning hours where sun rays beam onto the surface of the sea from East. If you are not fortunate enough to see larger blue fish, you may still see bunch of small fish very frequently.
Psychologists say that watching fish reduce stress and especially good for those who suffering from ailments like high blood pressure etc… We used to have domestic ponds or fishing tanks. However, growing fish in limited spaces like tanks are not at all in line with our Buddhist values of loving kindness.
In Sri Lanka nature is considered as sacred heritage. It's a fact as the world's first Wild Life Centaury was established by King Devanam Piyatissa ( 307 B.C.) honoring the request made by the Arahath Mahinda Thero (the sun of Great King Dharmashoka who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka).
The Arahath Mahinda thero advised the King who was on a deer hunt when they meet at Ambastala Forest.
"Dear King ..
The animal who live in this land,
the birds fly in the sky,
and the fish swim in the rivers
have a right to their life like you and me.
As the King, you are not their owner,
but the protector and the ruler"
The King declared the Ambasthala (Currently Mihintale Forest) a wild life sanctuary and ordered his men and countrymen not to kill any animals in the forest any more.
Just like we are proud to be having the first ground sanctuary in the world, why do not we have an aquatic sanctuary right in the heart of Colombo city so that people can enjoy the beauty of the nature and relax? When peace is restored, the government may even promote eco terrorism with small eco friendly boat service similar to those operated in coral garden areas in Hikkaduwa.
When peace is restored and restrictions are lifted, fishermen may come back (from both ground and sea) and ruin the newly developed eco system which will result back with a dead sea. Alternatively, we may reserve at least small area (From Colombo harbor to Bambalapitiya) as an aquatic sanctuary where people can come to the shore and enjoy the lively nature. War is bad and we should win it at all cost, still we may carry some good things as its results.
Due to terrorist threat to the Colombo harbor, the government declared the sea near the harbor as a banned zone for intruders including the fishermen. In south of the harbor, fishing has been prohibited even at the sea shore up to Kolpetty railway station. One of a positive effect of this has been the growth of fish in this area. The growth has been so evident that if one observes the sea in naked eyes from Kolpetty railway station to the south end of Gall face area (best seen at just north of the Kolpetty railway station from 6.00 to 10.00 in the morning) one can easily sees different range of fish. This appealing seen of fish, mostly blue colored fish around half a meter of length can be best witnessed in the early morning hours where sun rays beam onto the surface of the sea from East. If you are not fortunate enough to see larger blue fish, you may still see bunch of small fish very frequently.
Psychologists say that watching fish reduce stress and especially good for those who suffering from ailments like high blood pressure etc… We used to have domestic ponds or fishing tanks. However, growing fish in limited spaces like tanks are not at all in line with our Buddhist values of loving kindness.
In Sri Lanka nature is considered as sacred heritage. It's a fact as the world's first Wild Life Centaury was established by King Devanam Piyatissa ( 307 B.C.) honoring the request made by the Arahath Mahinda Thero (the sun of Great King Dharmashoka who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka).
The Arahath Mahinda thero advised the King who was on a deer hunt when they meet at Ambastala Forest.
"Dear King ..
The animal who live in this land,
the birds fly in the sky,
and the fish swim in the rivers
have a right to their life like you and me.
As the King, you are not their owner,
but the protector and the ruler"
The King declared the Ambasthala (Currently Mihintale Forest) a wild life sanctuary and ordered his men and countrymen not to kill any animals in the forest any more.
Just like we are proud to be having the first ground sanctuary in the world, why do not we have an aquatic sanctuary right in the heart of Colombo city so that people can enjoy the beauty of the nature and relax? When peace is restored, the government may even promote eco terrorism with small eco friendly boat service similar to those operated in coral garden areas in Hikkaduwa.
When peace is restored and restrictions are lifted, fishermen may come back (from both ground and sea) and ruin the newly developed eco system which will result back with a dead sea. Alternatively, we may reserve at least small area (From Colombo harbor to Bambalapitiya) as an aquatic sanctuary where people can come to the shore and enjoy the lively nature. War is bad and we should win it at all cost, still we may carry some good things as its results.