The Cabinet of Ministers gave their consent to Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s proposal to gazette the Animal Welfare Bill and submit to Parliament for approval.
Co-Cabinet Spokesman Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana told the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday that approval to complete the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill immediately has been granted by the Cabinet Meeting held on October 19,2020.
Accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the said Bill that was drafted by the Legal Draftsman.
Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that cruelty to any animal on farms, houses, jungles and stray animals will be addressed under this Bill.
“Animal welfare in Sri Lanka is currently being implemented in accordance with the Animal Cruelty Ordinance passed in 1907. The fine that can be imposed for animal cruelty under that Act is only 100 rupees. Therefore, we have taken steps to amend this Act. Cabinet approval has been obtained for that. The proposed Bill is expected to be gazetted, presented to Parliament for approval. Under the new law, animal cruelty can carry a maximum penalty of Rs. 125,000 and imprisonment for not less than three years,”he said.
The Minister said a separate unit will be established under a separate veterinary officer to deal with the new Animal Welfare Act.
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