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Police can stop any animal sacrifice done sans permit
View(s):The Court of Appeal this week held the Police have the power to stop any slaughtering of animals for any ritual conducted in the guise of religious activities if the people concerned have not obtained a permit in accordance with the Butchers’ Ordinance to perform such an act.
The writ application filed by 14 petitioners included the Sri Bodhiraja Foundation, the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya and animal rights activists Iranganie de Silva, Lalani Perera, Lorraine Bibile, Sharmini Ratnayake and Sagarica Rajakarunanayake
The application stipulated that the Sri Bhadrakali Amman Kovil which carries out the animal sacrifice annually violates the provisions of the Butchers Ordinance and it should be stopped.
Justices Sisira de Abrew, Deepali Wijesundara and Sunil Rajapakse directed that the police have the power to stop the act of animal sacrifice or inspect any place that carries it out without a valid permit in accordance with the provisions of the Butchers’ Ordinance.
President’s Counsel C.R. de Silva with Messrs. R.J.de Silva, Suren de Silva and Chinthaka Rankothage appeared for the petitioners.
Deputy Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe appeared for the Attorney General.