Govt. should not take on halal certification – BBS

By Rashini Mendis-2013-02-28

THe Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday strongly recommended that the government desists from accepting responsibility to certify products as halal, as was suggested by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU).

Addressing the media in Colombo, BBS General Secretary Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero said, "The ACJU has very cunningly tried to pass the halal certification off on the government. They mustn't accept this suggestion. The ACJU must step back, not just a few feet but several kilometres."

He said Sri Lanka has no need for halal, and added: "There is absolutely no need for halal products in the country. Even in completely Muslim populated countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the halal standard is only required for meat products. So, what is the need for it in this country, which only has a minority Muslim population?"

He said that the concept of an organization existing for the provision of a halal certificate is laughable, pointing out that the ACJU is the only such organization in the world.

"This is a laughable matter. In a Sinhalese-Buddhist country like Sri Lanka, there is no need for any other laws to be brought in. The rights of 90% of Sri Lankans have been violated by the ACJU, and with the way they have been harming Buddhism and the culture of the country, they have no right to approach us for a debate on the subject," he said, confirming that the BBS would not be holding any talks in the future with the ACJU.

The BBS General Secretary further said that ministers had been tricked by the ACJU. "This is clearly an extremist attempt, which has even managed to fool Sinhalese businessmen."

Opposing the claim made by the ACJU that only one business organization in Sri Lanka had removed themselves from being 'halal certified,' he said, "I can say with conviction that a number of businesses have removed themselves from halal certification, not just one as the ACJU claims. They are lying before God and the media by making such false claims."

On the attack on Eastern Provincial Council member Priyantha Pathirana, he said, "We strongly condemn this attack on Pathirana, who was speaking out against the Muslim extremists of the East on behalf of the BBS, and we wish him a speedy recovery."

VIDEO: GOVT. CANNOT TAKE OVER ISSUANCE OF HALAL CERTIFICATION - KEHELIYA

February 28, 2013

The Government today stated that it could not take over the responsibility of the issuance of the Halal Certification, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) on February 26 requested the government to take over the issuing and administration of Halal certification in Sri Lanka.

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, the Muslim scholar council asked the government to take an initiative to end the row after Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Force, staged a rally and issued an ultimatum that all halal certified goods must be taken off the market shelves by end of March.

“We suggest that government take over the process which should be acceptable to all stake holders”, Rizwie Mufthi of the ACJU, Sri Lanka’s main body of Islamic clergy told reporters on February 26.

He said the country could model the system along what is being practised in Thailand and Singapore where the government is responsible for Halal certification.

Last week, they said they advised the trade to limit the sale of Halal certified goods only to Muslims.

The decision was aimed at promoting peaceful co-existence and harmony with the majority Sinhalese who constitute 74 per cent of the island’s 20 million population.

The BSS had earlier issued an ultimatum that all Halal certified goods must be taken off the market shelves by the end of March and the practice must be done away with.

The BSS said the non Muslims, mostly Buddhist were being forced to consume items certified Halal, which is an Islamic religious ritual.

The BSS also accused ACJU of making money in the practice of issuing Halal certificates.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a ministerial committee to look into the growing religious tensions.