Sri Lanka, Sept. 14 -- The media reported some days ago of a proposal by the prime minister, to bring legislation to stop cattle slaughter and apparently majority of the government MPs are supportive of his proposal. Many Buddhist monks have also risen vehemently supporting the proposal. Have the proponents and the supporters looked wisely into all facts of the matter before rushing into this decision?

Agriculture, whether it be crop or animal husbandry, is no longer a mere way of life but income-generating ventures, off which farmers live. The sale of the animal or its meat is an important share of income.

It is largely the bulls and bull calves that are slaughtered, not that cows are totally spared. With the use of bullock cart for tr...