Recently on a request made by some MPs the Speaker allowed the introduction of pork to the menu of the parliament canteen.
In addition to pork, other expensive foods such as bacon, golden syrup and corn flakes - luxuries in our society, and out of the reach of ordinary people, have also been introduced to the parliament canteen. According to media reports, credit must go first to UNP MP Rosy Senanayake for her valiant efforts in bringing about this revolution in food service to MPs. She had soon been joined by some other MPs. According to press reports, Rosy even won the right to go into the kitchen of the canteen and see for herself how things are done in there. Bravo! Women’s movements ought to be proud of her role in enhancing the quality of foods for MPs although the people everywhere in the country may be left with ever decreasing means to purchase even the bare necessities for their families.
As the law does not prohibit the killing of pig for its meat and pork is now served in the parliament canteen, there is no stopping our peoples’ representatives from enjoying their subsidized portions of high quality pork that will undoubtedly be assured in parliament. We are sorry to disturb the pleasurable thoughts of MPs who relish pork and have it available to them in the parliament canteen by asking the question, is it not fitting that these law makers should give serious thought to the terrible tortures and cruelties that pigs are subjected to prior to being killed in the most barbaric fashion?
In Catholic areas in particular, where pigs are commonly reared and pork is relished, little mercy is shown to these animals at slaughter. In these areas pigs are generally allowed to roam freely and when required for slaughter they have to face the terrifying plight of being hounded out by dogs set on them. It is common practice for pigs to be driven into a fenced area and beaten with poles; this is supposedly to soften their flesh; finally the animal is killed by being brutally stabbed under its arm. It is shocking to know that even in the abattoir of the Colombo Municipality pigs are killed by cruelly beating them with poles.
These acts of cruelty at slaughter are an outrageous violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance passed in parliament as far back as in 1907. It is time that the methods of killing pigs (and indeed all other livestock animals which we have frequently taken up) are radically revised and modernized, and humane methods adopted ,such as electrically stunning the animal prior to actual slaughter. It is indeed necessary that the Members of Parliament, especially from Catholic areas, have a dialogue with the church on this issue in order to educate the people to adopt a more humane attitude to animals, particularly those that are slaughtered for human consumption. This education programme must bring in schools, including Sunday schools, and of course priests must call for kindness to animals in their preaching. On the matter of cruelty to animals, reaching out to people in the Catholic areas will only be possible with the cooperation of the Church.
The Catholic Church and our parliamentarians can indeed take a lesson from the new Pope Francis, whose inspiration has been Saint Francis of Assisi, known for his humility and compassion to the poor and who is the patron saint of animals. Pope Francis has already shown his humility and love for people and animals as well. For instance it was reported recently how when some journalists had met the Pope at the Vatican and asked for his blessing, one of them was a blind journalist working for radio, who was with his guide dog, and asked for a blessing for himself and members of his family. Pope Francis, blessed him and his family, and bending down blessed his dog too saying "and a blessing for your dog too!" In his inaugural homily Pope Francis has called on "all those who have responsibility in economic, political and social life" to be "protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment."
Sagarica Rajakarunanayake
Sathva Mithra
island.lk