The public should be grateful to the prime minister for his efforts to curb the vandalism of our cultural treasures. The proposed new legislation is reported to increase the fine for vandalism to Rs. 5 million (presently Rs. 50,000) in addition to a 5-year jail term.

In this regard, there are several aspects that need to be taken into consideration if the present vandalism is to be controlled. The new laws should cover not only the robbers who break up the statues or rob artifacts but also the businessmen behind them, the politicians who assist the businessmen and also the foreigners who smuggle these treasures abroad.

Accordingly, I would propose that the new legislation embodies the following:

(1) All offences associated with cultural crimes should be non-bailable offences.

(2) On conviction by the courts, the punishment should carry a mandatory jail sentence of a minimum of five years (or more).

(3) All those who receive, retain, transport, store, display, offer for sale, etc. and those who aid and abet should be covered by the legislation. It should include dealers in antiques.

(4) The fine for vandalism at Rs. 5 million should apply to all those local businessmen, the politicians who aid and abet them, and the foreigners who are behind such vandalism and thefts.

(5) Full publicity in all print and electronic media should be given about those convicted. Such publicity should provide details of the persons and include photographs of them.

In addition to the needed legislative measures, a well planned publicity drive should be undertaken to educate the people including school children that there are no gem stones or such valuable items inside these religious statues.

The prime minister should also consult the Maha Sangha and the religious organisations and seek their advice and views.

He could also have a discussion with antique dealers and seek their co-operation to control the vandalism of statues and theft of religious treasures.

The inspection and identification of such items at the customs should be further strengthened and streamlined.

All foreign tourists should be made aware in advance that the purchase/ possession/ smuggling of religious treasures are non-bailable offences carrying heavy penalties. (Such notice is presently given in respect of drugs, explosives and arms, etc).

The proposal of the prime minister to establish a special rapid task force of the police to deal with cultural vandalism is praiseworthy. The prime minister should also take suitable steps to investigate whether there are any organisations, local or foreign, behind the recent spate of damaging Buddha statues. Are there any foreign funded NGOs behind this?

The important idea should be to send the message to the businessmen (and politicians behind them) and/or other organisations that the vandalism and theft of religious treasures is not worthwhile.
Sarath Abeywickrema
Colombo