AWC accuses authorities of inhumane confinement of Monkeys in Thumpane

Colombo, Nov. 18 (Daily Mirror) - The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has accused authorities of state-sanctioned animal cruelty in Thumpane, alleging that large groups of monkeys have been kept in cages for days without food or shelter.

In a letter to Central Province Governor Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, the AWC said disturbing video footage circulating on social media shows terrified monkeys including dead and dying animals crying inside overcrowded cages while exposed to heavy rain and harsh sunlight.

The coalition noted that similar incidents had previously been reported in the Kandy Municipal Council and Harispattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha areas.

The AWC said it had earlier requested that all monkey-catching operations be coordinated through the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) to prevent prolonged and inhumane confinement. Despite these requests, the organisation alleges the same mistreatment has resurfaced in Thumpane.

According to the AWC, Prof. Dangolla of the VTH has confirmed that no monkeys have been captured under his supervision in the past week and that Thumpane is not included in his pilot programme, raising concerns about who authorised the current operation.

The coalition has called for urgent intervention to halt what it describes as “state-sanctioned, hideous cruelty” against wildlife.