Author: Sarath Malalasekera
Publication: Daily News
Date: October 20, 2003
URL: http://www.dailynews.lk/2003/10/20/new29.html
All religions are against the use
of drugs. The Hindu religion basically opposes the use of drugs. Drugs
are an enemy to mankind. The drug problem has become a plague throughout
the world with the number of addicts on the rise everyday said Hindu Vidyanethi
Brahma Sri S. Kuhanantha Sarma during a lecture on "Role of the Religious
leaders in drug prevention" at the 20th IFNGO Conference held recently
in Colombo.
"We have wtinessed how families
have been destroyed by drugs. Drugs cause community unrest. There are quarrels
and fights. Some people are wounded or there may be murders or in some
cases this ends in divorce. What will happen to the children?
Because of one person's happiness
others are suffering. Money is spent like water in drug use. This leads
to financial problems. That means the same family does not have money to
eat. The children's education is stopped, unhappiness in the family prevails.
That is the cause for frustration,"
he said.
People have forgotten why they were
born in to this world. God has created man to live happily and live in
peace, Sarma said.
He emphasised that Siva Sri Arumuga,
Nalvalar, the great saint of Sri Lanka in his first year grade one book
- Saiva Vena Veddai - has written on the prevention of drugs. Siva Sri
S. Kumarasawamy Kurukkal, one of the learned Hindu priests of Sri Lanka
also has written about the dangers of drug use and it is against the Hindu
religion. This ordination is given at the Temples, Schools and Hindu Associations.
Hindu priests visit schools. They
advise children to lead a religious life and study well. Special poojas
are conducted every September for 'Navarathiri' which consists of the nine
day festival at temples and schools etc.Hindu priests have always spoken
about the dangers of drugs, he said. "We the Hindu Priests advise all the
Hindus "Be a Hindu till you die. I bless this conference all success. I
bless President Shirly Tissera, secretary S. L. Fongoada and all those
work for 'No Drug' Movements," Sarma added.