Apply ’Small Family’ concept to animals to control population: Seelarathana Thera

Colombo, December 9 (Daily Mirror) - The concept of a "Small Family" (Punchi Pawula Raththaran), which was introduced to the Sinhalese community by a former politician, should also be applied to animals to control their population, according to Janasetha Peramuna leader, Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera.  

The Thera made this comment in response to a statement by Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha in Parliament.  

Addressing the media, Seelarathana Thera claimed that the 'Punchi Pawula Raththaran' concept was introduced in the 1980s aimed at exterminating the Sinhala race.  

“Once this concept is applied to animals, they too will gradually face extinction. The concept, however, worked to increase the animal population, and now the government is suggesting that we attack these animals to control their numbers,” the Thera said.  

Minister Lal Kantha recently proposed in Parliament that people should be allowed to take action against animals destroying their crops. 

The Thera argued that such statements could mislead rural communities into believing the government has authorised the killing of animals that damage crops.  

“If they kill any animals, the police will take legal action against them, potentially resulting in imprisonment,” Seelarathana Thera added.  

He further alleged that such remarks reflect a broader agenda to remove the Sinhalese population from the country while also eliminating animals.  

The Thera criticised Lal Kantha's statement as impractical and urged the Minister to apologise to the public for proposing new laws that could lead to land owners and farmers taking harmful actions against animals damaging crops.