CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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Fine for cattle theft to be increased along with imprisonment
The Agriculture Ministry has decided to increase the fine imposed on cattle thefts to Rs. 100,000 and at least one year of rigorous imprisonment for the offense.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera advised the Livestock Development Division officials to amend the Animal Welfare Act by including such clauses.
He said the Ministry has reported that cattle thefts are currently on the increase across the island and under the existing Animal Welfare Act, the maximum fine for cattle theft was Rs 50,000, and there was no mention of imprisonment for the offense.
A discussion regarding the amendments to the Animal Welfare Act was held yesterday at the Ministry with a group of animal welfare association representatives, following a request by MP Udaya Gammanpila.
The Minister mentioned that new amendments should be included in the clauses related to the increase in dairy cattle theft and the punishments for cattle thieves.
Accordingly, the Minister also advised increasing the current fine to Rs. 100,000 in the case of theft of a dairy cow and introducing provisions to impose a one-year rigorous imprisonment.
The Minister said that a cow that had given the highest amount of milk per day in the Anuradhapura district had also been stolen and killed last week. At least 26 litres of milk were obtained from that cow per day.
The Minister said that the Police Department has been requested to take measures to combat cattle thefts on several occasions and also added that the Gampaha district is the district with the highest number of cattle thefts in the country. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
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