Cattle slaughter will not be encouraged, says Minister

Shirley WIJESINGHE

COLOMBO: Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said action will be taken to abolish the amendments to the Local Government Ordinance which are likely to encourage cattle slaughter.

A programme will be implemented soon to minimise cattle slaughter without creating a religious conflict among different communities, said Tennakoon on the occasion of accepting a petition of representatives of King Gaveshi Association at his Ministry recently.

“No more amendments aimed at increasing the revenue of local bodies will be brought to the Local Government ordinance to encourage cattle slaughter,” Tennakoon said.

The Minister pointed out that his ministry did not issue licenses for cattle slaughter or meat outlets.

King Kusala Gaveshi Association President Sarath Senanayake explained that around 3,000 cattle are slaughtered per day in the country and the Association has made an appeal the President to take steps to close down the meat shops surrounding the Sri Dalada Maligawa.