BBS not satisfied

by Lashane Cooray-2013-03-13 Not satisfied with the decision taken by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) and the Maha Sanga, to remove the halal label from local products, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday vowed to continue with the struggle to completely eradicate halal from the country. The organization said the removal of the label itself was not the solution to the problem. Addressing the media in Colombo, BBS General Secretary Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said, "We will be campaigning extensively islandwide, starting from 17 March in Kandy. We will also be campaigning in Panadura and Pallewela." He said an end to halal is expected by 31 March. Commenting further on the support given by the Maha Sanga to the ACJU to arrive at the decision to remove the halal label and make the certification process free and optional, the Thera said, "Members of the Buddhist clergy of this country, who did not come ... forward five or six years ago when the halal system first came into play, or when Christianity was taking root in the country, have come forward now to speak for the ACJU. They declared before the media that this is a victory for the country. These Theras have had their backs bent and their personalities have been sapped away from them." Claiming that the BBS did not mean any disrespect whatsoever to the Maha Sanga or any of the elite Buddhist clergy of Sri Lanka, he said, "Have these members of the Budhist clergy, at any time in history, spoken out in this manner regarding a Sinhala-Buddhist matter? No, they haven't. They say the BBS shouldn't be taken seriously. The fact of the matter is the Sri Lankan Buddhist community has already taken us seriously." He accused the ACJU of trying to cause a rift within the Buddhist scholars of Sri Lanka. "The ACJU, as if the whole halal scenario isn't enough, is also trying to cause divisions within the ranks of the Buddhist clergy," he charged. Further, explaining the root of their powerful dislike of the halal system, he said, "Some 4,500 consumer products are categorized as halal. I ask, how can the Buddhists of this country even give a Bodhi Pooja with such products, which have already been earmarked for a God of another religion?" Highlighting the fact that the Maha Sanga and the ACJU had not actually discussed the matter of the halal certification and the process itself with the Mahanayaka Theras, he said, "This is a display of disrespect to these theras." He questioned the 'hastiness' of the decision taken by the ACJU to remove the halal label, asking, "Even after the President has appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to look into this matter and provide a report, why has the ACJU acted so suddenly in this regard, without waiting for the PSC to respond?" Addressing the media next, BBS Executive Committee Member Dilantha Withanage alleged the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) was making 'decisions of national importance' irrespective of the wishes of President Rajapaksa. "They are only considering this matter from the 'perspective of a business,' and this hasty decision regarding the halal label was taken to cater to the 'Sinhala New Year market,' which is just around the corner." Further, citing the rights given exclusively to the ACJU by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on 6 September 2007, for the issuing of halal certificates, he said, "The government realized their mistake and revoked this right in 2008, but the ACJU still continues to issue the certificates. Countries like Australia should be observed, to learn of the way they deal with these matters. They have numerous organizations to hand out these certificates." Commenting on some of the accusations that have been levelled against the BBS, he said, "Some have pointed the finger of blame at us, stating that we are an extremist group. We challenge anyone to prove these false claims."