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.[1] 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.[2] On 29 September 2020, the government revealed that the cattle slaughter would be officially banned after the implementation of scheme.[3][4] 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.[5]