Mannar Imposes Week-Long Ban on Beef, Goat, and Pork

 The storage of beef, goat meat, and pork for sale, as well as the slaughter of animals for meat, has been suspended in the Mannar district for a period of one week, effective from yesterday (03). Mr. Pradeep Boralessa, President of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors' Association, stated that this decision was made considering the prevailing disaster situation.

It is reported that a large number of farm animals, including cattle, have died in the Mannar district due to the recent adverse weather conditions and flood disasters. As there is a risk of meat from these disaster-affected deceased animals entering the market for human consumption,

health authorities have taken action to impose this ban as a primary step to prevent it.

Meanwhile, the President of the Association further emphasized that Public Health Inspectors serving island-wide are closely monitoring to ascertain whether the carcasses of animals that died in the flood disasters are being sold or transported for human consumption.

The public is requested to immediately inform their respective area's Public Health Inspector if they have any information regarding such illegal and unhygienic meat trafficking. If unable to do so, information can be provided by calling the Ministry of Health's 24-hour Disaster Management Unit hotline at 1926.