The campaign for Sri Lanka’s presidency was raised to a new high with a Buddhist organisation demanding the legalising of “moonshine” and cannabis and a jail term for abortion.
Affiliates of Gangaramaya temple in Colombo took out advertisements to announce their wish-list and urged candidates contesting the November 17 election to promise they will agree in return for their votes.
The Sri Jinarathana Technical College Circle and its partner, the Kataragama Gangarama Pilgrims’ Rest Circle of Gangaramaya Temple, 61, Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo 2 demanded that cannabis growing should be legalised.
Areas where cannabis is currently grown illegally should be declared “protected zones” and the government should facilitate the export of ganja.
The group wants minimum standards imposed on “kassippu,” or moonshine to ensure that the illegally distilled spirits could be used to power motor vehicles.
They also want a plethora of duty concessions for imports, including mosquito nets, farm machinery, newsprint and essential food commodities.
Gambling must be restricted to floating casinos or gaming parlours located on islets, possibly such as the one near the Gangaramaya temple.
The group urges jail for abortion, but it was not clear whether they want it for the abortionist or the patient. It was also not clear why they sought jail for abortion, which is already a criminal offence.
The half-page advertisement under the headline “Which president will solve these?” was bordered with symbols from all the main religions and urged readers to make photo copies and circulate among friends.
It made no reference to the island’s drawn out ethnic conflict, contrasting with an advertisement by a beer brewer who wants candidates to make their policies clear on the peace process without auctioning promises.
Affiliates of Gangaramaya temple in Colombo took out advertisements to announce their wish-list and urged candidates contesting the November 17 election to promise they will agree in return for their votes.
The Sri Jinarathana Technical College Circle and its partner, the Kataragama Gangarama Pilgrims’ Rest Circle of Gangaramaya Temple, 61, Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo 2 demanded that cannabis growing should be legalised.
Areas where cannabis is currently grown illegally should be declared “protected zones” and the government should facilitate the export of ganja.
The group wants minimum standards imposed on “kassippu,” or moonshine to ensure that the illegally distilled spirits could be used to power motor vehicles.
They also want a plethora of duty concessions for imports, including mosquito nets, farm machinery, newsprint and essential food commodities.
Gambling must be restricted to floating casinos or gaming parlours located on islets, possibly such as the one near the Gangaramaya temple.
The group urges jail for abortion, but it was not clear whether they want it for the abortionist or the patient. It was also not clear why they sought jail for abortion, which is already a criminal offence.
The half-page advertisement under the headline “Which president will solve these?” was bordered with symbols from all the main religions and urged readers to make photo copies and circulate among friends.
It made no reference to the island’s drawn out ethnic conflict, contrasting with an advertisement by a beer brewer who wants candidates to make their policies clear on the peace process without auctioning promises.
