PM proposes new laws to prevent cattle slaughter

By Saman Indrajith

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was planning to introduce new laws to prevent cattle slaughter in the country, parliament sources said.

PM Rajapaksa had made the proposal at the government parliamentary group meeting, yesterday, sources said, adding that many MPs were supportive of the move.

The SLPP parliament group meeting was held in the Committee Room 1 of the Parliament complex with PM Rajapaksa presiding.

Killing cattle for beef should be stopped as there were many who opposed the practice, the Prime Minister said.

The prime minister also stated that the government should take all possible action to prevent the destruction of forests. There are many instances of forest being cleared on the pretext of increasing the extent of agricultural land. It should be stopped and a clear demarcation between the cultivated lands and forest reserves be made. None would be permitted under any circumstances to clear forest which are dwindling at a fast rate, the Premier has said.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to tackle the fertilizer shortage urgently.