Animals’ lives in Dehiwala Zoo in grave danger: State Veterinary Surgeons’ Assn.

Returning to work after their trade union action,  the workers if the Dehiwala Zoo and the Director General's duties being suspended, the lives of the animals are in grave danger, State Veterinary Surgeons' Association-Sri Lanka President H.H.A.S. Piyasiri said.

While addressing the media, he said the controversial union leaders were trying to pass the blame on the department's veterinary officials for the death of animals in the zoo.

He said it looks that the union members are trying to harm the lives of the animals in some way or the other and then pass the blame on to the veterinarians.

The union members returned to work as usual without being subject to any decipilinary or legal action against for what they did. Even after the protest, they continued to do more harm to animals, such as changing cage padlocks, damaging the water supply system and not allowing them to feed the animals, Piyasiri said.

During the recent protest staged by the union leaders, they claimed that there could be more animal deaths at the zoo and that the responsibility for those deaths should be borne by the Director General and the veterinary officers, he said.

Therefore, a reasonable doubt has emerged over the union leaders as they are trying to harm the animals wilfully.

"The National Zoological Gardens Director General had stepped away from work for 14 days until a proper investigation is carried out into the unbecoming activities of the Dehiwala Zoo trade unionists. Not even an acting director general has been appointed as yet. The zoo administration has collapsed. The veterinary officers face great difficulties to carry out their duties in the department," he said. 

The veterinary officers have requested the President, the subject minister, and the state minister to intervene, as the current situation which prevails in the zoo could pose a grave threat to the innocent creatures, Mr. Piyasiri said.

Therefore, our central committee has decided to have discussions with all other veterinary associations in the county to have countrywide trade union action in the future, Mr. Piyasiri added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)