- More than meets the eye in the death of 8 monks
The tragedy that occurred at internationally famed Na Uyana monastery, killing seven Buddhist monks on the spot and another monk who died later in hospital and injuring five other Bhikkhus is another heartrending news that shocked all Sri Lankans within the last month.
From the wide publicity given over the electronic media, it is reported that this unfortunate accident has taken place when the steel cable attached to the cable cart had snapped mid-journey, sending 13 Buddhist monks plummeting down to a precipice, a distance of 300 metres (m), at a rapid speed, without any control.
Apparently, this last batch of Bhikkhus, out of three, had been returning from a religious observance when the accident struck at about 9.30 p.m. The strewn bodies have been thrown to more than 100 m of far-flung places, according to eye-witnesses and rescuers, which gives the impression that the cart has travelled at excessive speed after losing control.
Investigations are underway on the orders of the Mahawa Magistrate who made an inspection of the ill-fated cart and the accident in question to ascertain the causes of the snapped cable, as images showed a frayed steel cable, blood-soaked clothes, damaged equipment and poorly maintained corroded tracks on which the cart had travelled.
There are a few gray areas that demand closer attention.
Maximum load
It is learnt that the maximum load of the passengers that the cart can carry is 800 kilograms (kg) and that at the time of the accident, the cart has taken 13 Bhikkhus on this ill-fated trip. If the average weight of a Bhikkhu is around 80 kg, it can be safely assumed that the cart had a gross weight of 1,040 kg. What about the weight of the other paraphernalia the Bhikkhus had taken as seen from the incident scene? All in all, it could be assumed that the cart has had a full load of 1,100 kgs. Obviously, this load of 1,100 kg is well above the recommended weight of 800 kg. Can a poorly maintained cart shoulder an excessive weight is a question that demands an answer.
Inferior quality of materials used for construction
It is learnt that this facility was constructed almost 20 years ago, by using leftover materials, according to the eyewitnesses who spoke to the media.
As a matter of fact, one foreign Bhikkhu whispered, when questioned, that he had to travel by foot a distance of 350 m in difficult terrain to reach the main hall, twice a day, spending 45 minutes to one hour, where the alms-giving are arranged by the public.
The manner in which the donor has constructed and gifted this facility by using leftover sub-standard materials is a matter that cannot be discounted, considering the safety and the vulnerability of the project on a hilly terrain. In the science of mechanical engineering, it is explicitly stated that no chain, rope or lifting tackle shall be used for a sensitive facility of this nature, unless it is of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect. Section 28(1)(a) of the Factories Ordinance, No. 45 of 1942 has clearly specified this requirement. The donor would have undertaken this project in good faith to the monastery but if the sub-standard materials have been used from the leftovers, it is inevitable to experience such a calamity.
Periodical maintenance
It has to be borne in mind that the cart which is extensively used for the transportation of Bhikkhus should be periodically serviced and maintained for the safety of the Bhikkhus. The said Ordinance, in Section 28(1)(d), states that all chains, ropes and lifting tackle shall be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once in every six months or at such greater intervals. Has this vital and mandatory requirement been observed in the breach is the million dollar question.
The monastery is a religious organisation and it does not have a rigid and systematic organisational structure to deal with specific internal segments. Thus, no periodical examination or servicing has been undertaken by a qualified person or an institution. Periodically, the monastery might have undertaken minor repairs on an ad-hoc basis. It is in serious doubt as to whether the district factory engineer or for that matter a reputed engineering institution or qualified engineer had ever visited this plant during the last 20 years.
From the safety point of view, the provision of one cable to the cart cannot be endorsed. Had there been two cables, the extent of the damages could have been either averted or mitigated.
It should have been the duty of the ‘Dayaka Sabhawa’ to look into these aspects. Most of the Dayaka Sabhas consist of elderly persons appointed on a routine basis and they lack the knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms that govern these basic facilities.
Un-secured prime-mover
The prime-mover to which the steel cable is connected is located in an isolated hut and it has not been either securely fenced or protected, thus leaving the hut at the mercy of any undesirable elements to meddle with the system. From the safety point of view, this is a very dangerous situation. Anyone could have accessed this hut and damaged the fly-wheel directly connected to any prime mover, had he/she wanted to cause wanton damage with an ulterior motive. The regulation says that regardless of whether the fly-wheel or prime-mover is situated in an engine house or not, it shall be securely fenced.
It is timely that the custodians of the temple or the Dayaka Sabha revisit the safety aspects of this monastery and take precautionary measures to avoid health and safety hazards of this precinct on an utmost priority.
There may be similar health hazards in other religious places, which face a threat to the life and limbs of devotees. Hence, it is imperative that the Ministry of Buddhasasana visit such religious places and take appropriate measures to avoid fatal accidents.
(The writer is a productivity and management consultant)
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication