A number of animals, including mouse deer, deer and cranes, that were taken for exhibition at the model rural village ‘Ape Gama’ in Battaramulla during the time of the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) had died under tragic circumstances, Parliament was informed yesterday.

During the debate on the adjournment motion, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said five mouse deer taken to the village from the Dehiwala Zoo had died. He said 40 tortoises and some axis deer brought for the same purpose had also died.

“One deer had drowned in the nearby Diyawanna Lake. 12 cranes called Hendigalawa, whose wings had been clipped to prevent them from flying away, had also died. Today, the Zoo has become a virtual slaughterhouse, with animals being subjected to cruel treatment,” he said.

However, Zoological and Botanical Gardens Minister Jayaratne Herath said the JVP was involved in senseless violence at one time and, therefore, it was hilarious for him see Mr. Dissanayake talking about animal welfare.

“You tried to mislead the general public,” said Mr. Herath. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)