An incident related by the late Dr. Somadasa Kongaavita

It was in the year 1966/67. Milroy was District Medical Officer, Monaragala with his new bride Punya. I was DMO at Koslanda 33 miles towards Colombo. Dr. Somadasa was DMO at Maha Oya on the road to Batticaloa from Mahiyangana. “Soma” had got some luscious live crabs meant for cooking a delicious meal. He went all the way to see Milroy at Monaragala with the crabs ready for cooking. The crabs were alive and kicking. Soma had left the place after donating the crabs to Milroy wishing him a Bon appetite. Two weeks later when he paid another visit the crabs were running all over the quarters with Punya and her mother feeding the crabs. They were following the Buddhist oath ‘ Paanaathi paana veramuni, sikkha padam samaadhiyami’ –‘ I promise to refrain from taking life’. Soma had a big laugh relating this story to me, long years later.