Need for an executive speak on environment

King Devanapiya Tissa on the advice of Arahat Mahinda in the 3C. BCE made a far reaching statement for the environment, that not only man, but the animals in the forests, the birds in the air and the fish in the rivers and oceans have an equal right to live. It was understood that this was possible, only if the environment was protected. All kings that followed, respected this request. The highland forests were designated and declared “Deviyange Ratta”, not for exploitation. This effect was twofold, the animals were happy they had a secure space, and water security for the myriads of irrigation schemes that dotted the land was ensured. This simple rule was observed inviolate till the arrival of the colonial British in 1796.

The colonial package was if there is resource that could be exploited and or taxed it should be done. The clearing of millions of acres of prime forest land that constituted the cloud forests, to accommodate the plantation enterprise and with it the decimation, the cold blooded killing of thousands of elephants, male, female and even the young, all totally defenceless, by proud, arrogant colonial big game hunters with their powerful elephant guns. The elephants were all declared as pests, and were shot in the forest, and the hunters collected a couple of shillings for the tail as proof of their bravery. Ceylon witnessed the genocide of beautiful creatures, who only wanted a space to live.

The destruction of the forests, destroyed the water resources that irrigated the rivers and soon the village tanks went dry. The tanks were abandoned and similarly the fields. The colonial British were happy, they got their plantation revenue. But Ceylon was robbed of its cloud forests and its population of elephants, including tuskers by this indiscriminate systematic and even sudden annihilation of the elephant herds that lived happily in the forests. This is the prime reason for the reduced number of tuskers amongst the herds in Sri Lanka.

Over 35,000 elephant tusks from Ceylon were recorded at a store in a warehouse on the London docks. The quality of Ceylon elephant ivory was regarded as being superior and all the early piano keys were made from ivory collected by the indiscriminate killing of elephants in Ceylon. Giving rise to piano playing as tickling the ivories.

Everything exported was a profit. It has been said that the London underground was funded by the profit from the export of Ceylon tea. Certainly the colonial British took out more than they put in. This could be said of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and more so the British. They selfishly developed their countries at tremendous cost to countries like Ceylon, India, and in Africa and the Far East. They were all ruthless and the local population continued to suffer at the hands of the Black white men they nurtured and produced.

We still follow a colonial system of education. We are not producing students who are innovative. Those who can think. We are producing students capable of getting through examinations. Tuition is consolidating the student who is not allowed to think, only to do what is told. This was the colonial strategy and requirement. You do what you are told. We still follow the colonial method. We need to change. The future is in innovation and creativity.

The colonial system of indiscriminate exploitation of the resources is not the way forward, especially as it is based on profit, it is not sustainable. This is not development. The development as requested by two thirds of the population was a development that would benefit all the citizens of Sri Laṅkā, not an individual or a small group. A development that would also protect the environment, to be passed on to future generations in pristine form.

At present various agencies seem to act in their own cocoons, forgetting and without any reference that what they do, may affect another important agency. Sri Lanka has sufficient legislation to cover every eventuality. Some agencies prefer to change laws so that the primary legislation is confused. Agencies approving projects have to be more careful. Finally, it is not the investment only, but importantly, the possible future damage to the water security of the village, and many others, like the cost to the environment that should be considered.

The real need of the day is a statement from the Executive that all legislation, rules and regulations shall be adhered to, and shall remain inviolate or face the consequences. Almost a King Devanampiya Tissa statement in 2020 that would protect the environment of this beautiful country forever. This is what two thirds of the population wanted.

ASHLEY De VOS