Otara and 25 animal rights activists go before Court against exporting monkeys to China

11 May 2023 10:06 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Twenty six animal rights activists including Otara Gunewardene have filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the proposed capture and exportation of 100,000 Toque Macaque monkeys to China.

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera had recently publicly announced that the Government was considering a request by the Chinese Government to export 100,000 Toque Macaque monkeys, which are endemic to Sri Lanka to China ostensibly for the display at Chinese zoos.

When the matter came up before the Court of Appeal, notices were issued on the respondents including Minister of Agriculture and members of Cabinet returnable for May 19. The Court of Appeal decided to issue notices on the respondents taking into consideration the facts presented by President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena who appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Sri Lankan entrepreneur and animal welfare advocate Otara Gunewardene, Ven. Matara Ananda Sagara Thero, Rukshan Amal Jayewardene, Sonali Fernando, Iromi Ahilya Salgado, Dumindra Rajith Ratnayaka, Sharadha Manorama de Saram, Stefanie Wege - Aluwihare, Pushpadeva Dharmawardena, Randika Prabodha Fernando, Christine Bianca Shivanthi Perera, Tara Dilkushi Wickramanayake, Tara Dilkushi Wickramanayake, Bandula Pathmasiri Panapitiya, Rushika Nadiya De Lanerolle, Jayamaha Mudalige Don Irangani, Wijenayake Pathiranage Wipulasena and ten others filed this petition challenging the Minister's decision to export 100,000 Toque Macaque monkeys, which are endemic to Sri Lanka to China.

The petitioners stated that there are three recognized subspecies of the endemic toque macaque: the dry zone toque macaque (M.s. sinica), wet zone toque macaque (M.s. aurifrons) and highland toque macaque (M.s. opisthomelas) in Sri Lanka. The 1977 survey estimated there were 439,000 macaques in the dry zone, 150,000 in the lowland wet zone and 1,500 individuals of the montane subspecies.

The petitioners are seeking an order in the nature of Writ of Certiorari, quashing any decisions of the respondents from approving or permitting the exportation of toque macaque monkeys of Sri Lanka to China.

The Petitioners maintained that the Sri Lankan wildlife is protected under the provisions of theFauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) No. 02 of 1937 and under Section 40 of the FFPO, provides that no person shall export any mammal, bird,reptile, amphibian, fish, coral or invertebrate whether dead or alive, except under the authority of apermit issued in the prescribed form obtained from the prescribed officer on payment of the prescribed fee.

The petitioners further said such Such permit shall not be issued except for the promotion of scientific knowledge including supplies to foreign museums, foreign zoological gardens in exchange for supplies to local museums or local zoological gardens.

President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with counsel Lakmini Warusevitane appeared for the petitioners. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Comments - 18

Sivalingam Thursday, 11 May 2023 11:35 PM

No one cares about the export of thousands of poor women for domestic slavery. Otara the hypocrite.

Lovely LK Friday, 12 May 2023 12:57 AM

Animal right group must come up with some practical plans.How to control Monkeys ; dogs and elephants..what to do with them as their numbers go up out of control? They are threat human life ..when human rights are in conflict with animal rights what do we do?. government doesn't wnat to kill them but they want to send some not all

Punchi Friday, 12 May 2023 06:06 AM

I think our close as lips and teeth friends consume monkey brains by placing the screaming live monkeys head protruding from a hole in the middle of a table and those seated around the table breaking the head and consuming the brain using chop sticks

Anne Friday, 12 May 2023 06:09 AM

These activists have no clue about the hardships that farmers go through. They must think their food magically makes it to air-conditioned supermarkets. They are so out of touch with the common public.

Morris pan Friday, 12 May 2023 06:22 AM

Will these animals rights groups will compensation for the damages of the farmers crop

Ceylonese Friday, 12 May 2023 08:08 AM

Certain people would do anything to get their names printed on the papers.

Jude Friday, 12 May 2023 09:04 AM

Good gesture!! However, HALF of SL population living on one meal a day but NO activists concerned about the plight of destitute people!! Coz you don't get in the limelight for standing up for poverty-stricken people. They're worried about monkeys moved from SL to China, ironic Huh!! hey people it's only geography and the monkeys are better off there, period.

joshua Friday, 12 May 2023 09:13 AM

Thank You Madam and for the activists. This Government will do anything to please China. This time at the expense of innocent lives of monkeys. Hope the judiciary will be fait at least this time.

Jude Friday, 12 May 2023 09:16 AM

Good to know!! There's bunch of people worried about monkeys well being!! I wish any group of people have the same concern about the well being of impoverished, Huh

Jude Friday, 12 May 2023 09:30 AM

When reports of animal victimization reach the news , they seem to over shadow traumas and tragedies that befall human beings. At the same time, of course, violence raged across Syria, famine loomed in South Sudan and stories of children dying from hunger in Sub-saharan African countries. Was there as large an outcry???

Man Friday, 12 May 2023 10:03 AM

Excellent indeed. But, they pay scarce regard to animals in wild by taking action against deforestation including on that allocated forest reserve in Hambanthota and to pay compensation to farmers, etc. on the damages caused to them, as they usually spend after pawning everything they got.

U.ranjith Friday, 12 May 2023 11:25 AM

If the solution is killing or destroying monkeys what is the logic of Buddhist Pan sil . The first precept is refrain from killing animals or all life forms. The Lord Buddha did not preach to kill animals for ecconomic reasons. I think majority of farmers are buddhists and can they attain Nirwana by killing animals. Destruction is easy and protection is difficult. In this technological era always there should be some harmless ways to protect both farmers and monkeys and for that reason any animal. Brain storm like japanese to find a solution.

Laxman Friday, 12 May 2023 11:44 AM

These monkeys will not be taken to wildlife sanctuaries in China, but to laboratories. Shouldn't new epidemics like covid be introduced every year?

Dee Friday, 12 May 2023 12:41 PM

All forms of living things including humans should exist in harmony and within accepted numbers! When the equation is off (even applies to humans) the problems start! Solutions can be unethical, not in line with religious beliefs etc. But all should continue to co exist in Harmon and in ‘acceptable numbers’!!

dwaw Friday, 12 May 2023 07:28 PM

Animal also right to live

Born again Saturday, 13 May 2023 09:03 AM

Beef eating Otara.

Shelly Saturday, 13 May 2023 10:30 AM

Animal rights activists. That's how rich folks in Sri Lanka stay relevant. Ignore the starving poor people. You live in your rich little bubble and are out of touch with reality!

Punchi Saturday, 13 May 2023 10:58 AM

We who were culling our minorities and shipping kidneys to China and corneas to China and Pakistan for profit are concerned about the welfare of monkeys

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Otara and 25 animal rights activists go before Court against exporting monkeys to China

Comments - 18

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