Halal a matter for muslims – govt.

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Halal certification, which is identified as “a religious matter entirely” and Government of Sri Lanka “don’t see, any necessity or requirement” to recognize such accreditation or the international body engaged in it, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and the Leader of the House of Parliament Nimal Siripala de Silva stated yesterday in the Parliament.

Responding to the questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, Minister de Silva also stated that the Government will “not tolerate any forceful application” of the Halal certification and the public has the “right to refuse” such products.

“Muslim countries and some of the Western nations consider the Halal certification a requirement for international trade. The international body issuing this certification is based in Indonesia and the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama is the local agent appointed. Although the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama is an accepted organization there is no recognition for the Halal certification issuing body, which we don’t see, any necessity or a requirement. It is entirely a religious matter and the public has the right to refuse the Halal certified products,” he said.