Columns

After months of silence, I am writing again to the Sunday Times to shed some light on a new danger. The Cooperative Wholesale Establishment was started in the 1950s, with the aim of ending the dishonest practices of vendors who fleeced the consumers. The CWE was set up to sell quality consumer items at affordable prices.

But sadly, due to the wrong decisions of past governments, the CWE’s good name was tarnished. The CWE was once regarded as an institution which had the consumer interest at heart. But later, the CWE’s good name was lost and it was seen as an outlet that sold even rotten items. The same fate befell the Building Materials Corporation.
Last week there was an alarming news item in the media. It spoke about a proposal to sell wine and beer at CWE outlets. Those who were behind this move said it was to promote the tourism industry. We wonder how many tourists would buy liquor at the CWE, which normally sells food items such as rice, dry fish, sprats, milk foods, tea and sugar. Whatever it is, we can see that there is some hidden agenda behind this suggestion.

CWE is a place where many women buy food items. Is there an ulterior motive to encourage women to buy liquor? This may even affect children.Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and other religious leaders should raise objections to this.Allowing supermarkets to sell liquor has given rise to a dangerous trend that seeks to tear away the country’s social fabric nurtured by Buddhism and other religions.

From morning till 10 at night, supermarkets sell liquor. In the past, Sri Lankan women never went near a liquor shop. But after liquor has got into the supermarket shelves, women see liquor as just another consumer product. It is not uncommon to see women buying liquor at supermarkets. We regard our mothers as representing Lord Buddha at home. This noble concept will soon be a thing of the past, with liquor being sold at CWE outlets.

As soon as beer and wine are introduced in the CWE, it won’t be long before tea boutiques too will start selling liquor. The CWE is showing the path. The Mahanayakes and the clergy should rise up against this danger, just as they have risen up against the moves to bring in a new Constitution. Every temple should take the leadership to prevent the CWE outlet in its area from selling liquor. People should protest outside CWE outlets to bring this danger to the notice of the Government. We must act now, before our women and children become prey to alcohol addiction.

Recently a disturbing news report spoke about a principal discovering bottles of liquor and packets of narcotics in the bags of 16-year-old students during a check just before they left on an educational trip. The trip was cancelled. We were happy to hear about the action taken by the principal. If the CWE is allowed to sell liquor, it won’t be a surprise if we hear similar stories from all over Sri Lanka. The clergy must take a stand and rise up against this situation before it is too late.

Another matter of great importance is the concern over the recently adopted Provincial Councils Amendment Bill. The Bill, passed in parliament with a two thirds majority, poses a serious danger to the unitary state of our country. Many people have not yet understood this. We need a two thirds majority to reverse its ill effects.

We cannot predict the future. In any case, if we undermine the unitary state provision, it will be the end of our country. The Mahanayakes must study the Bill closely. If not, the new generation will suffer.