HIGHWAY INCIDENT: KIRULAPONE THERA SPEAKS

The stories which say that we didn’t pay and made damages are all false
“Son,  We should speak to dogs in dog’s language”

Kirulapana Nanda Thera speaks

Kirulapone Nanda Thera called our web site  to talk about the incident that happened on the Southern Express Highway  after we posted an article in our web site on that regard. The Nanda Thera explaining what happened on that day told us that only one break light was working when they had entered the vehicle into the Highway from Pinnaduwa and this was the root cause for the problem that occurred. He also mentioned that they had paid the bill for using the Highway and that he has the receipt with him. Further he had stated that they didn’t do any damage to Kottawa exit point.
However, he accepted that he used filth to scold as he couldn’t tolerate the injustice and stated that dogs should be taught and spoken to in their (dog’s) language.
The story told to us by him is as below:

“There is a language for us to communicate. You people speak to us with respect and we do the same. We too respect the constables … son, we speak to dogs in dog’s language. They did such a disgraceful thing that no man could stand. Last week there was a ceremony at Weherahena temple where the Minister of Defense was the Chief Guest. We didn’t have a vehicle to go to Matara so we asked for a van of one of the devotees.

We entered the highway from Pinnaduwa at around 11p.m in the night. As we bought the ticket the gate was opened and we entered into the highway. Then one of the policemen stopped us and told that one of the brake lights wasn’t working. Since there wasn’t a garage close by, we told them that we aren’t going far and asked them to let us go.

 We spoke of something that could be done. But they didn’t let us go saying that they need to get the permission and thus they delayed us for a long time. Then we were told that if we wanted to go, we will have to get permission from the OIC at Galle. We told them that isn’t practical decision. We told that we can switch on our dual signal lights to blink and travel. We didn’t make any trouble there and we came back after paying at Kottawa. We got a receipt for that as well. A police officer who had the number of our vehicle written in his hand came in front and stopped us to tell that they can’t allow us to go.

 Then they wasted our time telling many stories for about half an hour. They said that they want to talk to their higher officials and kept us waiting. Then at that time, we bought two other monks. Most of the officers there were drunk at that time. Weherahena Nilame who was with us will stand as evidence on this regard. They were trying to fight with us not even considering that we are monks.

If we had done something wrong they should have taken a fine from us. Those officers didn’t do that. They wasted our time. These vehicles are all iron stuff which will be deteriorated and they tend to break. Highway ID is not only for the upper class, normal people too should travel on them.

If they are very conscious of those things they should have started opening motor spare parts shops around. Before law these officers should know what morals and ethics are.”

The complaint says that you have made damages?

“No, that is not true. I kicked the gate saying that “if you can’t open this I will break it… we do what we say and we say what we do…there isn’t anything we can do. We would preach when we have to… we are against injustice. If we have to fight we can do that too.”

Did the police inquire about this?

“Police will do many things. We don’t have to say about the Police in this country. If they want to catch someone they will either put a packet of drugs in to the bag or catch him. These aren’t strange things in a country where the authority of law has collapsed.”

So are you saying that the Police didn’t come to inquire still?

“They have come and stared at the temple and gone... We have informed the relevant authorities.”

Listen to the audio of this conversation BELOW: