The Ministry of Hill Country Heritage and Kandy Development Lakshman Kiriella said he instructed authorities to close down the barbecue places on Daladaya Street, Kandy, due to "religious reasons".

Dalada Veediya is located in the vicinity of Sri Dalada Maligawa (the temple of tooth relic), Kandy, a well-known Buddhist religious site. 

Kandy is also one of the top tourist destinations in the country. 

Kiriella said the chief prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters have expressed their opposition to the Barbecue places on Dalada street as it is an "insult" to the Buddhists visiting their religious place.

Buddhist Affairs Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said he also received complaints about the Barbecue places on Dalada street. 

It is learnt that Barbecue places on Dalada street are mostly owned by non-Buddhists.