The timeline of the ban on cattle slaughter in Sri Lanka is still unclear, a top government spokesman said.

A proposal to ban cattle slaughter in the country was adopted at the ruling party parliamentary group meeting yesterday. The proposal was moved by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Accordingly, imported beef will be encouraged in the local market.

Speaking to Asian Mirror, a government spokesman said the Prime Minister would decide on when to bring this proposal to Parliament after which the ban will be implemented in the local market.

The decision has been widely praised by Buddhists in the country while the minorities have viewed the matter with mixed sentiments.