{"id":46758,"date":"2016-05-19T00:15:31","date_gmt":"2016-05-19T04:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=46758"},"modified":"2016-05-19T01:11:59","modified_gmt":"2016-05-19T05:11:59","slug":"my-reasons-for-not-wanting-to-climb-sri-pada-mountain-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=46758","title":{"rendered":"My Reasons for not Wanting to Climb Sri Pada Mountain Again."},"content":{"rendered":"

By<\/p>\n

Bandula Jayasekara<\/strong><\/p>\n

For whatever reason, I never wanted to climb Siri Pada better known as Samanala Kanda (Butterfly Mountain\/Peak). I wouldn’t call it Adams Peak because it was Robert Knox who called it that. Knox could have called it Butterfly Peak instead, because Adam was nowhere near this peak. I once went to climb it with three German and Danish friends and decided not to climb it when I saw the mayhem and commercial like activities at Nallathanni. However, this time I climbed it in the interest of the viewers of Sirasa TV Pathikada. In a way I am glad I climbed it, because I can share with you with my views and thoughts, and tell you why I will not climb it again. It is up to you, if you want to climb it.<\/p>\n

It is true, we call it Samanala Kanda. But, I hardly saw butterflies there. Even the butterflies have left the Butterfly Mountain because it has become a disgusting environmental disaster. I saw more filthy hotels and traders and more polythene rather than the nature I expected until I climbed to the peak. It was filthy, smelly, dirty and full of garbage. I pity the innocent village folks who climbed it with faith and devotion to the Buddha. None of them cared. They accepted things as it were. I don\u2019t think the Buddha ever wanted innocent people full of devotion to climb a peak like that. I regret very much, I didn’t find the climb serene and peaceful as it should be. Many who I spoke to agreed. They told me they were helpless and only could share their thoughts with me. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There was no proper water. Sarath who hailed from Hatton told me “These people can easily provide water because the water is good in this area. But, they wouldn\u2019t because the traders can fleece the innocent pilgrims. It is one big business here”. People have to pay very high prices if they want bottles of water or soft drinks. Prince Siddhartha, who left his palace and his kingdom, was always kind to the poor and the needy before and after attaining Enlightenment. How could cruel people make money in his name? “Isn\u2019t it a sin?” I asked myself.<\/p>\n

There were hardly any toilet facilities either, throughout the journey and even at the peak. Facility means a facility, and not some disgusting filthy place. I noticed that even the ordinary folks who worked at the temple at the peak were not provided proper toilet facilities. They may disagree. I am saying what I saw and what I experienced, with many others who climbed the peak with me. It is well known that Sri Pada attracts millions each year, and the well being of the devotees is of utmost importance. How come the authorities are only concerned on raising funds rather than taking care of BASIC needs of the devotes? Are they playing with their devotion or taking it for granted?<\/p>\n

Several shop owners I spoke to whispered to me something many of us did not know before. They said that 16 elderly devotees died trying to climb the Samanala Kanda in 2014, and four have died this year. They said most of them were elderly devotees and all those deaths could have been avoided if timely medical care was provided. “It takes eight (8) hours to take them to the hospital with all facilities in Nawalapitiya, and by the time the patient is taken there he is dead. Why can\u2019t they build a hospital in Nallathanni?” questioned Piyasena who worked there. Piyasena also said “Thanks to Lord Saman nothing has happened to children here”. It is true. I saw how four men carried a sick lady on a stretcher down, the day I climbed the mountain. How come there aren’t medical camps headed by a doctor at various points at Samanala Kanda? It is not a difficult thing to do, considering the massive income generated there. How come the authorities are turning a blind eye to the needs of the innocent devotees? Isn\u2019t it a crime?<\/p>\n

Many places were not lit in the night. It was difficult for us to climb down. We had to tread carefully with the help of mobile phone lights and other camera lights. It was both scary and difficult for old people, little kids and even pregnant ladies. Mahathun, who helped me throughout the climb, said “This is always the case. It is not the first time. They wouldn’t replace the bulbs and we have to climb many steps in the dark. But, it is very difficult to climb down in the dark.” He had climbed Samanala Kanda over a thousand times in nearly forty years of serving as a guide. Though the climb and coming down the mountain was a cake walk for Mahathun , he was truly disappointed on what was happening at Sri Pada. He was a helpful poor man, concerned for the wellbeing of the innocent and poor devotees. He had so much to share with me. I told him that I will never ever return to Samanala Kanda, but will always pay my respects to Buddha. ” Yes. I agree with what you are saying. But, please come and see us if you come this way” said Mahathun.<\/p>\n

I asked a shop owner “Have you ever seen any politician climb Sri Pada? Do they understand the problems devotees go through every year?” A man who had worked there for nearly eighteen years replied “I have seen Gotabaya Rajapaksa climbing but with his security and others. I saw former speaker VJM Loku Bandara and the present Governor of North Reginald Cooray climb. But, they had people around. How would they understand the problems of ordinary devotees when they haven’t climbed like ordinary people?” A young foreigner said she climbed purely for endurance. However, she complained about the environmental disaster. She said she was saddened by what had happened to the mountain and questioned me as to how it became like this. I had no real answer. But, I blamed the caretakers more and the pilgrims too.<\/p>\n

Most people who climb Sri Pada are poor innocent devotees. They have faith and they respect the Buddha and Buddhism. Many take the trouble and go through immense hardships to carry and offer alms at the peak. It is their faith and devotion that take them to the peak against odds. Why not treat them with kindness and compassion?<\/p>\n

Oh, the Compassionate One, I am sorry I will never climb Siripada ever again. I know you would understand and don\u2019t expect me to either because I mean nothing. However, the Buddha, could you advise your disciples and others to treat the innocent devotees with Metta, Muditha and Karuna?<\/p>\n

Courtesy:The Island<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Bandula Jayasekara For whatever reason, I never wanted to climb Siri Pada better known as Samanala Kanda (Butterfly Mountain\/Peak). I wouldn’t call it Adams Peak because it was Robert Knox who called it that. Knox could have called it Butterfly Peak instead, because Adam was nowhere near this peak. I once went to climb …<\/p>\n

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