October 2, 2020

Sri Lanka bans cattle slaughter

Sri Lanka approved a proposal to ban cattle slaughter in the entire country.

A programme will also launch for ageing cattle that have no practical use in agriculture.

Sri Lankan Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella announced that the Sri Lankan cabinet approved the proposal and will legalise the decision to ban cattle slaughter in the country.

The Parliamentary Group of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) approved Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's proposal to ban cattle slaughter in the country on September 8.

The Sri Lankan Animal Act, the Cattle Slaughter Ordinance and other related laws and regulations currently enforced in the country will be amended.

Neverthless, the cabinet has decided to import for residents who sill consume beef, and will provide it at a concessionary price.

"As a country with an economy based on agriculture, the contribution of the cattle resource to develop the livelihood of the rural people of Sri Lanka is immense," the cabinet noted, upon approving the proposal.

"Various parties have pointed out that the livestock resource that is required for traditional farming purposes is insufficient due to the rise of cattle slaughter, and the insufficient livestock resource is an obstacle to uplift the local dairy industry, which enables the development of the livelihood of the rural people while reducing the substantial amount of foreign exchange attracted towards foreign countries on imported milk powder," the cabinet added.

- The Wire