Pork to Be on Parliament's Canteen Menu in Future
SRI LANKA - Despite objections from Muslim MPs, the Speaker has decided that pork may be offered to MPs in the Parliament canteen, revoking a previous ban on it, informed sources said.
22 February 2013
2 minute read
Daily Mirror reports that earlier Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa had, at the request of Muslim MPs, decided not to offer pork at the parliamentary canteen.
However some MPs, including Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, had objected to the decision.
The Speaker had revoked the decision yesterday, 21 February. He had reportedly said at the House Committee meeting that one should not place restrictions on the choices of food available to other people.
He had said that if any MP wanted to eat pork, he or she should inform the canteen authorities in advance. MPs have long had the right to order beef and mutton in the canteen.
At the meeting, MP Azwer voiced his objections to this decision on the grounds that Islam did not permit the consumption of pork. This led to a heated argument between him and Mr Amaratunga.
