PM meets UK delegation on rabies eradication

Colombo, July 21 (Daily Mirror) - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today (21) held discussions with a delegation from the United Kingdom on implementing a more systematic and accelerated national programme to eradicate rabies, improve animal welfare and manage Sri Lanka's stray dog population.

The meeting, held at the Parliament Complex, brought together representatives from UK-based animal welfare organisation Battersea and the International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM-UK).

During the discussion, the delegation proposed adopting the 'No Dog Left Behind' approach, which aims to vaccinate the maximum possible number of dogs over a three-year period instead of targeting the current 70% vaccination coverage. Experts said the strategy could significantly reduce the need for costly post-exposure rabies treatment.

The participants also discussed strengthening vaccination efforts through local government institutions to address the current shortage of veterinarians and overcome administrative challenges.

Attention was also drawn to the proposal to establish a Presidential Task Force to oversee the programme, initially in the Western Province before expanding it islandwide, treating rabies eradication as a national priority.

Experts further stressed the importance of using high-quality vaccines, maintaining a reliable cold chain for vaccine storage and distribution, and ensuring effective oversight by the central government.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya said the government considers both animal welfare and the elimination of rabies as key priorities and pledged the government's support to implement the national programme by addressing existing practical challenges in collaboration with local authorities, relevant ministries and international organisations.

The discussion was attended by Battersea representative Roxanne Sahar Nazir, ICAM representatives Dr. Elaine Francisca Hiby, Dr. Eric Joseph Brum and Mr. Patrick Gerard, as well as Colombo Municipal Council Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. M. Ijas.