In Sri Lanka only cattle enjoy rights over and above other species. If everything goes well they are almost certain to beat human beings and acquire the right to life.

Of late there has been a flurry of activity in the animal rights front. Rather selective animal rights. Parliament has just passed the Animals (Amendment) Bill presented by the JVP unanimously.  Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa

MP has submitted to Parliament a bill to prohibit cattle slaughter and to impose stringent punishment on violators. Not to be outdone the UNP also jumped to the bandwagon and proclaimed that they too support banning cattle slaughter. Many artistes including baila king Nihal Nelson sings emotionally against cattle slaughter.

Very soon poor goats, fowl, fish will be up in arms alleging discrimination meted out to them and the biased attitude of animal rights activists.

Rajapakse, who broke ranks with the government some time back, is one of the fearless and public spirited citizens. As chairman of the COPE he revolutionised the oversight committees and relentlessly pursued public officials and politicians on bribery and corruption, triggering an unprecedented public focus on public finances.

However his belated entry to a selective form of animal rights campaign smacks of irrationality.

According to him (Rajapakse) the slaughter of cattle in Sri Lanka is a breach of the first line of the five precepts in Buddhism. In an attempt to balance off the religious element he says that Jesus Christ was born in a sheep's stable. Then he calls for a total ban on slaughter of cattle. Even persons who abet and aid such slaughter are also for severe punishment.

During the Presidency of Premadasa fresh water fishing was banned much to the resentment of tens of thousands poor fishermen in the distant villages. The ban deprived livelihood for them. Media mounted a campaign to get the ban removed on the ground of irrationality. Premadasa, true to his uncompromising ways, did not relent and the ban continued till his untimely death. It was later revealed that the ban was imposed on the request of the clergy. At that time the Communist Party news paper "Aththa" (The Truth) mockingly queried whether the first precept of Buddhism did not apply to fresh water fish.

Abstention from taking life of is a part of the ethical behaviour of Buddhists. This is commonly known as five precepts that a lay Buddhist is expected to adhere to in every day life. In short it is a moral or ethical code. 

One wonders why Rajapaksa is selective and thought fit to advocate for total ban of slaughter of cattle only. Does he give a narrow interpretation to the first precept and indirectly condone killing of other animals for flesh.

Rajapakse doctrine of immortality for cattle has uncanny similarities to the ban imposed on inland fishing in substance. However, the immortality of fresh water fish was short lived. Time will only tell what in store for cattle.

It is high time that all citizens focus more on human rights before advocating for selective animal rights.