Report for 1999 - 2000 (July 1999 - Sept 2000)
Meetings: General : 3 (Oct 9, 1999, Jan 8 and April 8,2000); Executive Committee: 12
Vegetarian Advocacy Activities:
Workshops were conducted on the religious/ethical, environmental and health significance of a plant-based diet at the following places: Dharmapala Pirivena, Bellana; Purana Viharaya, Badureliya; San Michele Hotel, Bolgoda; Buddhist Society Hall, Batakettara; Cement Corporation Klinker Workshop & Head Office, Puttalam; Beraliyahela Bauddha Asramaya, Tissamaharama; Kalyana Pradipa Pirivena, Delgoda; Sriwardhanaramaya, Udupila;.Sri Indraratna Dhamma School, Ganewatta Temple, Hokandara; Sri Ariyametta Dhamma School, Kalalgoda, Pannipitiya; Sri Susilarama Dhamma School, Hokandara; Sri Ratanarama Dhamma School, Malabe; Vinayalankararama Dhamma School, Pokunuwita; Rajamaha Viharaya Dhamma School, Horana; Buddhist Meditation Centre, Godagama
Lectures on Vegetarianism/Animal Welfare:
Dhamma Sermons on Vegetarianism:
January 8, 2000 - Public Talk on Buddhism and Vegetarianism by Ven. Prof. Dhammavihari at 310, High Level Road, Colombo 6
Ex. Co. members Ven. Maduruoye. Dhammissara and Ven Puwakpitiye Mettananda and former Ex.Co. member Ven . Mawathagama Pemananda have been regularly giving Dhamma sermons strongly supportive of vegetarianism at various places in the country.
Media Events:
SLBC (Sarasvati Mandapaya Programme) talk on vegetarianism by Ven. Maduruoye Dhammissara -June 28, 2000
SLBC (Subharati Programme) discussion on Vegetarianism with Consultant Cardiologist Dr. D.P. Atukorala, Prof. M. Palihawadana and Dr. Vajira Seneviratna participating - August 16, 2000
Two Programmes on Animal Rights and Vegetarianism - broadcast several times on the TNL “Cross Talk” show from April to September, 2000 with representatives of SLVS participating.
16 articles dealing with various aspects of vegetarianism and animal rights written by SLVS President were published in national newspapers (Daily News, Island, Sunday Times) during the year.
Leaflets on Vegetarianism:
Five pamphlets on ethical and health aspects of vegetarianism were published during the year. Several thousands of these pamphlets were distributed among the public at the above mentioned Seminars and also by other means.
Recommendations on Reform of Laws on Animal Welfare and other related Matters:
The decision of the Law Commission of Sri Lanka to consider updating and improving legislation with regard to the treatment of animals is an important event that took place during this year. We must all be grateful to Attorney Senaka Weraratne for taking the initiative in this direction. The Executive Committee held two special meetings to decide on the contents of a memorandum to the Law Commission of Sri Lanka on the proposed reform of legislation. The memorandum was submitted on April 26 and a delegation of the committee subsequently appeared before. the Law Commission for further clarifications. The establishment of a National Animal Welfare Board including representatives of recognised animal welfare organisations with wide powers to oversee the treatment of animals in all spheres of activity, the setting up of a Central Animal Welfare Fund and the prohibition of home slaughter of animals were among the recommendations made by the society.
The Society was also represented in a delegation of animal welfare organisations that met the Mayor of Colombo to discuss matters regarding the treatment of stray dogs in the city and such other matters.
Society News Magazine Mituru Lova:
The magazine was published on schedule once every four months. The ninth issue (Vol IV, no.3) is due to be released at the AGM on 23.9.2000.
Our Thanks:
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Vajira Senevirtna, Ven. Prof. Dhammavihari and Attorney Senaka Weeraratne for taking time to give valuable talks to members of our society, to all members of the Executive Committee for the ungrudging co-operation and financial assistance given by them in all activities of the Society, especially to Asst. Treasurer Mr. Chandika Weragala for regularly providing free transport facilities in all matters connected with the society, including travel to distant places for conducting our advocacy programmes, to Mrs Padmini Fonseka, Principal of Anula Nursery School and other members of her staff for kindly allowing us to use the school hall for all our meetings, to Mr. S.B.A.M.P. Weerawardane, Treasurer of Krishnamurti Centre of Sri Lanka, for unfailingly giving us every support whenever needed and to Mr. Uditha Palihakkara, Senior Accountant of Sri Lanka and Life Member of SLVS for once again coming forward to audit our accounts as a gesture of solidarity with the vegetarian movement, of which he is a firm supporter.
Dr. Praneeth Abhayasundara/Chanaka Amaratunga, Mahinda Palihawadana, Manoj Krishantha Perera, Joint Secretaries, President, Treasurer
09.10.99: Talk on Medical and Nutritional Aspects of a Plant-based Diet by Dr. Vajira Seneviratna at 310, High Level Road, Colombo 06. 08.04.2000: Talk on The Status of Animal Welfare Legislation in Sri Lanka by Attorney Senaka Weeraratna at 310, High Level Road, Colombo 06. Talks on Vegetarianism were given by Dr. Praneeth Abhayasundara, Mr Saman Chandra Ranasingha, Mrs. Kusumalatha Ranasingha and Dr Vajira Seneviratna at Gangodawila, Pettah, Mount Lavinia, Mirihana, Battaramula, Moratuwa, Central College/Ibbagamuwa, Nawinna, Gunasinghapura, Kotte, Seenigama, Ananda College/Colombo, Biyagama, Pamunuwa and Hokandara. Talk on Animal Rights Legislation in Sri Lanka by Attorney-at-Law Senka Weeraratne : 09.04.2000 at 310, High Level Road, Colombo 6.