78-year rabies eradication drive becomes a ‘beggar’s wound’: AWC says

Colombo, June 11 (Daily Mirror) - The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) strongly criticised successive Health Ministries for what it describes as a “veritable beggar's wound” in the guise of a rabies eradication programme, sustained for over 78 years without achieving meaningful results.

In a media communiqué, AWC Executive Committee Member Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara condemned the handling of both the dog rabies vaccination campaign and the sterilisation programme, stating that they have been poorly managed and weakened over the years. He pointed out that while the annual dog rabies vaccination programme continues in a diminished capacity, the dog sterilisation initiative which has been sporadic and poorly planned since its inception in 2008 has now come to a complete halt.

To address this ongoing public health and animal welfare crisis, the AWC is calling for the immediate transfer of the National Dog Sterilisation and Rabies Vaccination Programme to the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH). 

“With over 600 veterinary surgeons operating through approximately 337 Public Veterinary Health Offices across the country, the DAPH has the professional expertise and infrastructure necessary to eradicate this zoonotic disease,” Dr. Nanayakkara said.

The AWC further questioned the rationale behind retaining the inefficient and ineffective programme under the Health Ministry, accusing it of harbouring “conspiracies and sinister plans” against street dogs.

Adding to their concerns, the organisation alleged that misinformation about rabies and street dogs is being deliberately spread among the public, fuelling fears of a potential move to cull stray dogs in the future.

The AWC urged all animal welfare advocates and concerned citizens in Sri Lanka to unite and voice their opposition to what it termed the Health Ministry’s misguided actions, which threaten both human and animal lives.