Pigs, goats and sheep to come under Animals Act as ‘animal’

• Only cattle and cows included in the definition of ‘animal’ in the Act
• The Attorney General has also granted clearance for the draft Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman

By Ajith Siriwardana

The government is planning to amend the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 in a move to include pigs, goats and sheep in addition to cattle and cows in the definition of ‘animal’ in the Act.

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted in-principle approval on December 1, 2025 for the proposal submitted by the the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation in this regard.  The Attorney General has also granted clearance for the draft Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman in all three languages.  

Accordingly, Cabinet approval has been granted to publish the Amendment to the Bill in the government gazette and present it in Parliament for approval.