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Senaka Weeraratna, a Sri Lankan attorney and animal rights activist, has advocated for a “Slaughter-Free Christmas” in Sri Lanka, arguing for the extension of the Buddhist tradition of non-violence (ahimsa) to the holiday.  

Core arguments for Slaughter-Free Christmas

• Contradiction of Christian message: Weeraratna highlights the irony of celebrating a religious figure known as the “Prince of Peace” with the mass slaughter of animals.
• Drawing from Buddhist principles: He frequently references the centuries-old Sri Lankan custom of closing slaughterhouses and banning meat sales on the Buddhist holy day of Vesak. He proposes that Christians in Sri Lanka could similarly show kindness to all living beings by making Christmas a meatless day.
• Ethical and moral advancement: He frames the initiative as a way for Sri Lanka to demonstrate a higher ethical standard to the world by promoting compassion and non-violence. 

Broader animal rights activism

Weeraratna’s advocacy for a Slaughter-Free Christmas is part of his broader animal rights work in Sri Lanka, which includes:

• Animal Welfare Bill: He served as a legal consultant on the Animal Welfare Bill, though he has criticized later revisions for being watered down and failing to adequately protect animals from exploitation.
• Activism against cruelty: He has spoken out against cruelty to animals in various contexts, including the treatment of temple elephants and the poor conditions in zoos.
• Promoting plant-based diets: As a Director of ‘Justice for Animals and Nature’ organisation based in Sri Lanka, hhe has supported campaigns to encourage plant-based eating in Buddhist communities and schools across the country. 

Other notable efforts

Weeraratna is also known for inventing the “Player Referral” concept in cricket, which became the foundation for the Decision Review System (DRS) now used in the sport. 

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