Mahinda proposes to ban cattle slaughter

• Majority in Parliament group agree to proposal
• PM says many opposed to cattle slaughter
• Tells Group members to pay more attention to fertiliser shortage issues
• Calls for action to stop deforestation

 

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday laid before the Government Parliamentary Group a proposal to ban the slaughter of cattle. He made the proposal to the Group meeting held at the Parliamentary complex yesterday, and a majority present had given their approval, informed sources said. The Prime Minister had noted that the slaughter of cattle for meat should be stopped, as there are many opposed to the practice.

He also addressed several other issues, including the problem faced by farmers due to the shortage of fertiliser.

The Prime Minister pointed out the need for Government MPs to pay more attention to deal with the fertiliser shortage immediately, as people from many parts of the country are complaining.

He also said that strict action must be taken to prevent clearing of forests by various persons for different reasons.

“There are many instances of forests being cleared citing the need to increase the cultivated lands. This should be stopped and a clear demarcation between the cultivated lands and forest reserves should be made. None would be permitted under any circumstances to clear jungles and reserved forests which are dwindling at a fast rate,” the Prime Minister told the meeting. 

He said that the need was not to bring about new laws but to strictly implement laws which are already there, so that the forest reserves of the country could be saved for posterity.