Govt. declines Halal takeover

The Government has declined taking over the Halal certification despite Muslim authorities urging such a move earlier this week.

Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet briefing, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told media that the Government condemns attempts to create racial and religious divisions within the country but it would not take over the Halal certification process.

On Tuesday, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) said it would hand over the Halal certification process to the Government to provide a mechanism that would be acceptable by all stakeholders. ACJU said the decision was taken with the intention of toning down the prevailing situation with regard to the Halal certification matter that has been grabbing attention since December 2012.

They had earlier called for Halal certification using businesses to produce two products but this was vehemently rejected by the Bodu Bala Sena as being unpractical. The Buddhist organisation has called for the Halal certification to be completely withdrawn by 31 March, ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April.