Govt. to impose stricter punishment for cattle theft

According to the Animal Welfare Act, the existing fine for cattle theft is Rs. 50,000

According to Police media reports, a total of 575 cows were stolen between 2023 and 2024

Two incidents of cattle theft were reported from Galewatte, Udugampola in January 2025. One cow, who had been blinded in one eye, was stolled on January 25. Two days later two more cows were stollen from a separate farm in the same area. Even though the owners had complained to the Gampaha Police, no information regarding the perpetrators had been gathered so far. 

According to Police media reports, a total of 575 cows were stolen between 2023 and 2024. Following these incidents the former state minister for livestock development D. B Herath proposed to amend existing laws and impose stricter fines on perpetrators. According to the Animal Welfare Act, the existing fine for cattle theft is Rs. 50,000 but the former state minister proposed to increase this fine up to Rs. One million. 

The Daily Mirror contacted Gampaha Police Crime office-in-charge Chief Inspector Garusinghe to inquire about the cattle theft in Udugampola. Even though he said that he had received a complaint regarding the incident, no information regarding the perpetrators had been obtained so far. However, he said that police officers had been patrolling the area frequently in order to obtain any leads to the incident.

Govt. will not tolerate incidents of cattle theft: Karunaratne

When asked about the government’s plans to put an end to incidents of cattle theft, Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said that cattle theft had been carried out by organised criminals for some time. “There was one time when such incidents were reported regularly, especially in areas such as Pannala in the Gampaha District. In some incidents, only the skeleton and skull of these stolen cows were found. Perhaps these incidents are once again on the rise. As a government we will not tolerate such incidents and would take all measures to eradicate such crimes,” said Karunaratne.

Responding to a query on fines imposed on perpetrators found guilty of cattle theft, Karunaratne said that the fine would be decided by the Magistrate Courts depending on the nature of the crime. “But if existing laws are not adequate we would revisit these laws and bring about necessary amendments to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the cattle industry and that of cattle farmers,” he underscored.