Cattle slaughter in Sri Lanka
Cattle slaughter, especially cow slaughter is a controversial topic in Sri Lanka just like neighbouring India, because of the cattle's traditional status as an endeared and respected living being to some sects of Dharmic religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, while being considered an acceptable source of meat by Muslims as well as Christians, and rarely by some Hindus and Buddhists.{{Cite web|title=Why is Sri Lanka planning to ban cattle slaughter?|url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/why-is-sri-lanka-planning-to-ban-cattle-slaughter-39643|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Why is Sri Lanka planning to ban cattle slaughter?|language=en}} Cows are killed for the purpose of obtaining beef. The proposals on banning cattle slaughter were initiated in the past by pressure groups and politicians but the legislation to restrict cattle slaughter was not materialised and passed by any of the previous governments. The call for eradicating cattle slaughter was put forward by the Sinhala Buddhist groups in the past. In September 2020, a proposal was initiated to ban cattle slaughter.{{Cite web|title=Govt. to ban cattle slaughter|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/top_story/Govt--to-ban-cattle-slaughter/155-195443|access-date=2020-09-11|website=dailymirror.lk|language=English}} On 29 September 2020, the government revealed that the cattle slaughter would be officially banned after the implementation of scheme.{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka bans cattle slaughter|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/sri-lanka-bans-cattle-slaughter/1945091|access-date=2020-09-29|website=outlookindia.com/}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/67603/cabinet-approval-to-ban-cattle-slaughter-in-sri-lanka|access-date=2020-09-29|website=adaderana.lk|title=Cabinet approval to ban cattle slaughter in Sri Lanka}} The move was deemed primarily due to the influence of majority Buddhist population. However government ruled out the religious impact and insisted that the cattle slaughter ban is to encourage agriculture in the country.{{Cite news|last=Srinivasan|first=Meera|date=2020-09-29|title=Sri Lanka bans cattle slaughter|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-bans-cattle-slaughter/article32726156.ece|access-date=2020-10-01|issn=0971-751X}}
Act
The Animal Act of Sri Lanka was historically passed in the parliament in 1958 which largely restricts the slaughter of cattle, cows and calves below the age of 12. The Animal Act of 1958 was later amended in 1964 with minor changes and modifications. The Cattle slaughter Ordinance no 9 of 1893 also has provisions about animal slaughter.
Timeline
In 2009, Member of Parliament, Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa presented his proposal in the parliament calling for a whole ban on cattle slaughter. He insisted that banning cattle slaughter would help to generate more employment opportunities for people in the dairy industry. However the government didn't approve the proposal at that time.{{Cite web|last=p.k.balachandran|title=The Intricacies of a Cow Slaughter Ban in Sri Lanka|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/6/19341/The-Intricacies-of-a-Cow-Slaughter-Ban-in-Sri-Lanka-|access-date=2020-09-11|website=The Citizen|date=10 September 2020 |language=en-US}}
In September 2012, the Kandy Municipal Council passed a resolution unanimously to ban cattle slaughter within the boundaries of Kandy municipal area. The issue regarding cattle slaughter became a matter of concern in 2013 when a Buddhist monk set himself on fire after observing a Muslim man eating beef. In the same year, Sinhala Buddhist groups Sinhala Ravaya and Bodu Bala Sena launched awareness campaigns and protests demanding to stop selling meat under Halal certification. In 2018, a Hindu representative group called Siva Senai held a protest in Jaffna against cattle slaughter.{{Cite news|date=2020-09-08|title=Mahinda Rajapaksa proposes ban on cattle slaughter|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/mahinda-proposes-ban-on-cattle-slaughter/article32555386.ece|access-date=2020-09-11|issn=0971-751X}}
On 8 September 2020, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed the ban on cattle slaughter which he previously recommended in 2016.{{Cite web|title=Govt. considers banning cattle slaughter|url=https://www.hirunews.lk/english/249726/govt-considers-banning-cattle-slaughter|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Hiru News|language=en}} On the same day, his proposal was approved by the Parliamentary group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna with the support of all SLPP MPs.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-08|title=Cattle slaughter to be banned in Sri Lanka - Beef imports to be allowed|url=http://www.newswire.lk/2020/09/08/cattle-slaughter-to-be-banned-in-sri-lanka-beef-imports-to-be-allowed/|access-date=2020-09-11|website=NewsWire|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=SLPP approves proposal banning cow slaughter in Sri Lanka {{!}} Tamil Guardian|url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/slpp-approves-proposal-banning-cow-slaughter-sri-lanka|access-date=2020-09-11|website=tamilguardian.com}} The move was also welcomed by Buddhists and Hindus inline with the cultural values.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} On 10 September 2020, the cabinet spokesman of SLPP Keheliya Rambukwella confirmed that the ban on cattle slaughter was postponed to October 2020.{{Cite web|last=Mudugamuwa|first=Ishara|title=Cattle slaughter ban postponed|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2020/09/11/local/228463/cattle-slaughter-ban-postponed|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Daily News|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka : Introducing legislation to ban cattle slaughter postponed|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_20B/Sep10_1599755090CH.php|access-date=2020-09-11|website=colombopage.com}} On 29 September 2020, the cabinet approved the proposal on banning cattle slaughter permanently from the country.{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka bans cattle slaughter|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2020/sep/29/sri-lanka-bans-cattle-slaughter-2203474.html|access-date=2020-09-29|website=The New Indian Express|date=29 September 2020 }}{{Cite web|title=Mike Pompeo due in Asia for talks on China, North Korea|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2020/sep/30/mike-pompeo-due-in-asia-for-talks-on-china-north-korea-2204024.html|access-date=2020-10-01|website=The New Indian Express|date=30 September 2020 }}