Saving street animals is everyone’s responsibility: PM

Colombo, July 17 (Daily Mirror) - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today said that protecting and saving the lives of street animals is a shared responsibility, urging the public to stop abandoning pets in public places and to show greater compassion towards stray animals.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at the opening of PET EXPO 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), the Prime Minister said that while keeping pets is an important part of society, caring for animals living on the streets is equally important.

The exhibition, organised by the Sri Lanka Pet Veterinary Association, featured the "Aloka" exhibition booth, which aims to raise public awareness about the safety and welfare of stray animals. During the event, the Prime Minister officially inaugurated the shelter by handing over a stray puppy to a new caretaker.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Amarasuriya welcomed the progress of Sri Lanka's veterinary services and called on the public to end the practice of abandoning dogs and cats at temples and other public places.

"It has become a bad habit in the country to abandon small dogs and cats in public places such as temples. I urge the public to pay special attention to the welfare of stray animals," she said.

The Prime Minister also said that the recent Cabinet approval of a policy on animal welfare would enable the government to introduce measures aimed at improving the lives of animals across the country.

Highlighting the importance of the bond between humans and animals, she referred to the recent story of a Sri Lankan girl and her pet tortoise that gained international attention, saying it demonstrated the value of the relationship between children and animals.

She said living with pets helps children develop compassion, kindness and empathy, making it an important part of their personal growth.

The event was attended by Sri Lanka Pet Veterinary Association President Dr. Nuwan Wickramasinghe, Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Colombo District MP Najith Indrika, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of Peradeniya, university academics and a large number of visitors.