Sri Lanka’s long-awaited Animal Welfare Bill, designed to replace the country’s 119-year-old animal protection law, has reached its final stage before being presented to the Cabinet, according to animal rights activists.
Members of the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) say the proposed Animal Welfare Act is the result of years of sustained campaigning and advocacy against animal cruelty, aimed at strengthening legal protections for animals.
As part of efforts to accelerate the process, veterinarian Chamith Nanayakkara and Madushanka Fernando, executive members of the council, recently held discussions with Dr. Dhammika Patabendi to move the legislation forward.
According to the council, the Environment Minister has already assured that recommendations from the Ministry of Environment have been submitted, and steps are now underway to forward the draft bill to the Cabinet through the Ministry of Agriculture in the near future.
Activists also noted that several recommendations made by animal welfare groups during earlier committee discussions have been included in the latest draft. This information was reportedly confirmed through Right to Information Act disclosures obtained from Parliament, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Attorney General’s Department.
Once Cabinet approval is granted, the bill is expected to be gazetted for public review before being presented to Parliament. Citizens will also have the opportunity to challenge any provisions before the Supreme Court, while further amendments may still be introduced during the parliamentary committee stage.
Animal welfare advocates have emphasized the urgency of updating the existing legal framework, pointing out that the current law still imposes a maximum fine of just Rs. 100 for killing a dog inhumanely.
They argue that such penalties are no longer adequate to address cruelty cases and are calling for broad support from all groups opposing animal abuse to ensure the swift enactment of the new law.
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