Govt. to bring new laws against animal cruelty

7 May 2014 03:33 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government will enact new laws to prevent animals being subjected to various forms of cruelty, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

United National Party (UNP) MP Lakshman Kiriella moved an adjournment motion in the House seeking Parliamentary attention on the welfare of animals, either kept as pets or caged in zoos. Mr. Kiriella, in his motion, said the global trend was to close down zoos by releasing animals to their natural habitats.

“Though Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country, it is unfortunate that the issue of cruelty to animals is not very much focused in Sri Lanka. Animal cruelty takes place in many forms - caging, held in captivity, inadequate sustenance, slaughter and so on. Big cats, eagles and other animals travel long distances daily when living free,” he said. He referred to a number of zoos closed down in the United States and some other countries.

Detroit Zoo in Michigan, Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania, the London Zoo and the Bristol zoo are some of them.

The UNP MP said the existing laws did not do enough to prevent cruelty to animals, and therefore urged the government strengthen the laws as soon as possible. He said even lighting firecrackers harmed animals.

Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva acknowledged the facts placed before the House by the UNP MP.

Stressing the importance of ‘responsible pet ownership’, he said the government had taken note of the fact that zoos were being closed down in the world today.

“I agree with Mr. Kiriella in this case. We have to treat both humans and animals alike. It mirrors our civility then. We have paid special attention to this matter. There is the need for a law to deal with keeping pets. We are planning to amend the already existing laws dealing with cruelty to animals. We are working with the Attorney General’s Department,” he said. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 30

Mason Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:03 AM

How about cruelty to Journalists, Members of opposition and those who oppose the regime. Will there be legislation brought to remedy this ?!!

DD Tuesday, 17 February 2015 11:23 AM

Stop Being a man too!! im a Buddhist and i embrace Muslims, Tamils and Christians as my own people. They have all the right to believe in what they want and it is not in our hands to decide on oppressing them. you should take the Doctor off ur name cz you are simply an arrogant and mislead human being.

Forwadthinking Friday, 09 May 2014 04:57 AM

This will not work. If you close down Zoos how will children learn about animal in the first place. Slaughtering animal is none of your business. People are allowed to eat what they want. Sinhalese should stop having pets such as Dogs , Cats, Elephent in their houses.

lkcricket Thursday, 08 May 2014 10:19 AM

[quote name="The citizen"]We shall be glad if they can add a sub clause to the same Law to stop cruelty to humans also, specially to media men and Opposition MP's[/quote]

Do you treat them also as animals?

chena Thursday, 08 May 2014 09:48 AM

Do you think so?????

ss Thursday, 08 May 2014 09:37 AM

[quote name="Dr.P.Raghavan"]A very good move.Stop the Halaal stuff also![/quote]

Thats right!! These superstitions have no place in the 21st century.

humaidhan Thursday, 08 May 2014 07:35 AM

dat will never happen bro.its a challenge.god willing dat wont

Musliman Thursday, 08 May 2014 06:22 AM

[quote name="Dr.P.Raghavan"]A very good move.Stop the Halaal stuff also![/quote]

We knew that someone would go round and stop at this end point. It is unfortunate, however, not the doctor, even BBS or RB can not stop our rights. I doubt the doctor!

malkanthi Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:56 AM

Exactly all seem in the same boat despite the difference of the party.

PS Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:51 AM

Good move!
I hope they implement such laws asap. This should also include pet shops and strays.

das Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:27 AM

[quote name="naleer"]What about human via DM Android App[/quote]

Human ARE already protected by the law.

das Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:26 AM

[quote name="WhyNot"]Question Dr. What do you prescribe alternative to Antibiotics(that kills bacteria) to your patients? killing many bacteria is better than curing a single human being ?[/quote]

Thats self defense

das Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:25 AM

[quote name="jayasekara"]First treat humans properly[/quote]

Why???

Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:21 AM

inhumanly treated animals and inhumanly treated humans fall into the same category bringing the animality (with apologies to animals) in humans to the fore, .

Dr.P.Raghavan Thursday, 08 May 2014 05:09 AM

No animal is dangerous than humans. The later one attack you with out any provocation !

Nihal BD Wednesday, 07 May 2014 03:58 PM

Very good preposition.

The citizen Thursday, 08 May 2014 04:59 AM

We shall be glad if they can add a sub clause to the same Law to stop cruelty to humans also, specially to media men and Opposition MP's

WhyNot Thursday, 08 May 2014 04:32 AM

Question Dr. What do you prescribe alternative to Antibiotics(that kills bacteria) to your patients? killing many bacteria is better than curing a single human being ?

naleer Thursday, 08 May 2014 08:05 AM

What about human via DM Android App

senior citizen Thursday, 08 May 2014 07:44 AM

Charge people whose dogs are a nuisance to the neighbourhood. via DM Android App

Kapil Thursday, 08 May 2014 07:44 AM

More Taxes via DM Android App

Dr.P.Raghavan Thursday, 08 May 2014 12:15 AM

Govt.should also ban all the stupid practice of "sacrificing the cock, hens and goats at some Hindu temples. I have gone through deeply in the Ahama- Shastras of Hinduism and I am sure that nowhere they recommend the Verlvi or animal offerings or killings at Hindu temples.These were started by so called priests to mislead the Hindus.In fact this practice is associated with "Witchcraft and Sorcery"..

dharmapalad Wednesday, 07 May 2014 11:53 PM

what about the human rights

Bernard Wijeyasingha Wednesday, 07 May 2014 09:59 PM

Tear down the Colombo zoo and in its place build a sanctuary similar to the one in the Californian city of San Diego. Sanctuaries within cities are propping up across the globe. The 19th century concept of the Zoo needs to go.

Dr.P.Raghavan Wednesday, 07 May 2014 09:56 PM

A very good move.Stop the Halaal stuff also!

Deepal Wednesday, 07 May 2014 07:25 PM

We live in age as most of animals on extinction & are subject to cruelty. This an excellent move & should support by all Sri Lankans.

G.M. Jayawardena Wednesday, 07 May 2014 07:10 PM

Its very late. Had these laws in place many species would not have become endangered. nevertheless its good move.

jayasekara Wednesday, 07 May 2014 05:35 PM

First treat humans properly

gona Wednesday, 07 May 2014 10:13 PM

Very good thinking. Have any laws to stop killings of human beings being killed everyday Yes the answer independent police . Act fast before they are also killed. Present trend via DM iPad app

gona Wednesday, 07 May 2014 10:13 PM

Very good thinking. Have any laws to stop killings of human beings being killed everyday Yes the answer independent police . Act fast before they are also killed. Present trend via DM iPad app

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Govt. to bring new laws against animal cruelty

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