Cancer: The main cause is the food we eat

It should not suffice merely to trumpet gladly that citizens have the right to dissent and to protest. Dissent was also possible during the Rajapaksa era if citizens had exhibited basic courage and determination. Probably if that fortitude had been displayed by greater numbers, the Rajapaksa regime might have been brought to its knees much sooner and without causing such extensive degradation to institutional governance.

But Sri Lanka’s political landscape is certainly stubbornly resistant to change. As a regrettable case in point, one has only to look at last week’s deadlock between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the Governorship of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

In all respects, former Governor Arjuna Mahendran should not have generated such extraordinary tension. Given the controversy that surrounded his actions for an unacceptable period of time, the Prime Minister and his confidantes should have heeded that apt Shakespearean warning that like Ceasar’s wife, the CBSL Governor should not only be above suspicion but seen to be above suspicion as well. Instead, sturdy defences were advanced to justify their positions. The damage done to the reputation of the CBSL was considerable. And the passing of the proverbial buck to the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) had all the calamitous potential for an implosion in the unity Government.

External appearances and internal dysfunctions

What occurred thereafter was akin to a page turner of a tense crime novel. On Friday, insulting the intellect of citizens, we were told to await, with presumably bated breath, the arrival of the Finance Minister to decide on the new appointment of the CBSL Governor even though this would have been quite supremely extraneous to the issue. To add hilarity to the mix, a release issued by the Information Department to that effect was denounced as false in subsequent agitated denials. On Saturday, the deadlock was seemingly resolved by the President’s announcement of a new Governor.

But this is no reason for contentment. This appointment means very little if the enabling environment is not conducive to the independent functioning of the CBSL. One has only to look at the recent resignation of the Director General of Wildlife Conservation, a well regarded professional. And for the future, the appointment of the CBSL Governor should be included in the schedule of appointments to key positions that are vetted by the Constitutional Council.

That said, the CC itself must be divested of its obnoxiously political character. Its record so far under the 19th Amendment has not been reassuring with inconsistent decision making in conflict with its constitutional role. Responding to public concerns, the CC recently issued an explanatory statement on its functioning. But there is no real clarity thereto. This

Indeed, the extent to which good looking labels are skillfully employed in this ‘yahapalanaya’ age is well seen in last month’s judgment of the Supreme Court relating to bids for the supply of coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (SC FR No. 394/2015, SCM 24/06/2016) The Court administered a well deserved rap over the government knuckles for the blatant ignoring by all senior government agencies of the Government Procurement Guidelines in favouring a particular bidder.

The order reveals an astounding subversion of procurement guidelines by government agencies operating under the banner of ‘yahapalanaya’. These include the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee brought to task for ignoring essential steps of the evaluation procedure in directing the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) to re-evaluate the bids. Equally grievously, the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee had permitted lobbying of itself by the favoured bidder during the evaluation of bids.

In ruling that the contract entered into with the favoured bidder may be terminated after giving reasonable notice and fresh bids may be called for in terms of the law in regard to the supply of coal following competitive bidding procedure, the judicial conscience was proclaimed as ‘shocked.’

Dexterous evasion of public accountability

One cannot resist the mischievous aside that it is heartening to see Sri Lanka’s judicial conscience alive and well after years of suspected atrophy. Nonetheless, the judges must be commended for examining the merits of the case despite their predictable conclusion that the petitioner company in Singapore (and a rejected bidder) had no locus standi to invoke the jurisdiction of the Court. Refusing to let this technical bar stand in the way of substantially considering the matter, the Court reminded that otherwise, a government agency will be left free to violate the law which is contrary to the public interest in violation of the Rule of Law.

Notably, the judges observed that ‘every organ of the State must act within the limits of its power and carry out the duty imposed upon it in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the law; the Court cannot close its eyes and allow the actions of the State or the Public Authority go unchecked in its operations, in the public interest.’

The Court also reprimanded the Procurement Appeal Board for failing to give a right to be heard to the rejected bidder despite holding out an expectation in that regard.

But regardless of judicial conscience and the last minute appointment of the Governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank, the devilish dexterity with which politicians manipulate public opinion which they hold so clearly in contempt, is manifest.

So that dilemma before us continues. Dissent and criticism should not result in the same failures of public accountability, albeit in a more sophisticated manner and with a somewhat more acceptable face.

That, by itself, is very clear.

Today according to medical opinion the main causes of death are either cancer or viruses. Why has this happened to us? India which is not such a clean country has not been gripped by such fears. The Indian people are healthier because they add wholesome condiments, lentils, pepper and sesame oil to their food and they eat mostly homegrown food. What I see is that our people are used to consuming ham, bacon, pastries, Ajinamoto and such artificial foods resulting in poor health. Our country is surrounded by water. With clean air and water how come we have cancer and viruses? Sickness affects everyone, rich or poor, people of any race or religion. In the villages, we have seen a decline in the availability of nourishing and tasty food. This is due to laziness which brings about diseases.

We got our system of indigenous medicine from India. Most of our food ingredients and condiments such as coriander and garlic are obtained from India. Though we started cultivating onions locally it has not been successful. We must not encourage our people to consume food that causes cancer and other diseases. If that happens we will have to build more hospitals or import more drugs.

It is time for us to switch back to our indigenous food and medicine so that our lives would be healthier. Instead of expecting everything from the Government it would be good if we could grow some of our food in our own home gardens. ‘Health is Wealth’ according to what our Lord Buddha preached more than 2,500 years ago. The Lord Buddha realised that by meditation we could come to an awareness of what is good and bad for our body. His teachings go beyond the norms of modern science. The Lord Buddha understood these vital facts by practical means. In his vision, the qualities of kindness, mercy and equanimity need to be given priority because these will heal many of our ailments. Without mental health, we are prone to physical illnesses. It is still not too late to achieve good health by the means of mental powers in us.

Who is monitoring the quality of our food items, to which harmful ingredients are added? I feel we are one of the few nations that allow harmful or poisonous items to be put into our food. Sometime ago, terrorism provided the biggest business for undertakers. Today sicknesses caused mainly by bad food have taken that place. Temples, churches, mosques and Kovils must lead the way in getting people to follow a simple and healthy lifestyle. Strangely there are some who expect good health by consuming drugs. This just does not happen. It is also harmful to consume food. We take in salt as a means of destroying harmful elements. As a means of maintaining good health salt, pepper and bees honey came to our tables. We should avoid consumption of flesh of animals which are being fed with artificial food.

We should put a stop to the slaughter of cattle and increase the cattle in number so that we have more milk, ghee and other dairy products. Many have forgotten about the five types of food we obtain from cattle.

Our space is limited to have cattle. We have no adequate feed for them. Dairy farming which was popular those days has gone into decay now. Most Indians take a teaspoonful of castor oil in the morning. It is good especially for children as it helps mental development. We do not have these good practices now.

Whose fault is it? Result is either cancer or viral diseases. Like the animals ready for slaughter people are condemned to die because of illnesses. In earlier times, we maintain good health with kollu or garlic water. If we did not have mother’s milk we had coriander. It had so much power and energy. What we should do is to have a list of good food items for the family.

Even though science has developed we have no answer to sicknesses that come our way now. Keeping a healthy and a clean body is important. We must also wear clean clothes. Even poor Indians sprinkle a little turmeric water around the house as a disinfectant. That power is there in turmeric. Our white curry is a mixture of condiments including lentils, mustard, cinnamon and turmeric. These ingredients act as antioxidants. Today many do not know how to make use of them.

We drink water from the king coconut and young coconut. The fleshy part of the nut at the top is called the Kahagoda which is medicinal and acts as an antioxidant. It is applied to wounds with turmeric powder for immediate cure. There is an increase in cancers of the mouth and tongue. I know of an ayurvedic doctor who can help. He treats cancer that is visible from outside. He treats internal cancers with condiments we take in with food. He uses spiritual blessings in addition to treatment. If you send details regarding your ailment, arrangements could be made to meet him. There is no consultation fee as the service is provided as a charitable act. This is especially applicable to religious clergy.

Most of our ailments are due to phlegm and other connected reasons. If we can organise our daily food intake properly, a lot of diseases could be avoided. We will avoid germs, and cancer. We get frightened when we hear the word ‘cancer’. Instead of being frightened we must change our food habits. Learn to keep an Aralu nut in the mouth and keep on biting it taking in its goodness. You will be in better health, with a clearer mind. Stomach ailments will be healed; there will be no constipation and blood will be purified. Sudden anger is one of the causes for bodily ailments. Don’t lose your temper, but try always to have a correct attitude in life. You will be in better health and will have longer life.

For your enquiries regarding cancer and viral diseases, send me a letter. Peace and Goodwill to All. Ven Galboda Gnanissara Thero, Podi Hamuduruwo, Gangaramaya, 61 Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo 02: Telephone 2435169, 2327084

(A health clinic has been established at a devotee’s residence in Mahindarama Rd. Col 10).