Business
‘Animal Welfare Bill could put fisheries, poultry and pet breeding in legal limbo’
By Ifham Nizam
The proposed Animal Welfare Bill could have far-reaching legal and economic consequences for fisheries, poultry production, pet breeding and even small-scale ornamental-fish breeding, biodiversity expert Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda has warned.
The long-awaited Bill, nearly two decades in the making, seeks to replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance of 1907 with a modern framework for animal welfare. However, Pethiyagoda says several provisions require substantial revision to prevent unintended consequences.
The most glaring flaw, according to Pethiyagoda, is the Bill’s sweeping definition of an “animal”.
Section 48 defines an animal as “any living being other than a human being” and includes “aquatic animals”.
In plain terms, this could bring fish, prawns, crabs, cuttlefish and other seafood within the scope of the proposed law.
Pethiyagoda points out that, unlike mammal slaughter, commercial fisheries and aquaculture do not appear to benefit from the legal exclusions provided under the Bill for certain food-slaughter activities.
The Butchers’ Ordinance applies to livestock and does not regulate marine or inland fisheries. Commercial fishing, by its very nature, results in the physical injury and death of fish.
The Bill also prohibits recreational sport involving injury to or destruction of the lives of animals. This could create a legal problem for recreational angling, which necessarily involves hooking and handling fish.
With penalties including fines of up to Rs. 500,000 and imprisonment of up to three years for certain offences, Pethiyagoda warns that the consequences could extend well beyond individual fishermen.
The fisheries sector supports a large economic chain involving fishermen, traders, processors, transporters, ice suppliers, exporters, restaurants and other businesses. Any uncertainty over the legality of established fishing practices could therefore affect livelihoods, food supply and prices.
Birds fall within the Bill’s definition of an animal, while provisions criminalise causing unnecessary pain or killing an animal in a cruel manner.
Although the Bill provides exemptions relating to slaughter for food consumption, Pethiyagoda questions whether existing exemptions sufficiently cover poultry, given that the Butchers’ Ordinance primarily regulates livestock.
The potential economic implications are significant. Poultry production supports farmers, hatcheries, feed manufacturers, transporters, processors and retailers, and additional compliance costs could ultimately be passed on to consumers.
The Bill’s proposed licensing regime for pet shops and breeding centres could also affect ordinary households.
Section 25 requires annual licences for pet shops and breeding centres, while the definitions can extend to private residences.
According to Pethiyagoda, a person breeding and selling a litter of puppies from home could therefore be required to obtain a local-authority breeding licence and prior approval from the relevant Government Veterinary Surgeon.
The legislation does not clearly establish thresholds distinguishing commercial breeding establishments from occasional household breeding.
Pethiyagoda warns that excessive bureaucracy could even produce the opposite of the intended welfare outcome, with people potentially abandoning puppies rather than navigating a complicated licensing process.
The same broad definition could potentially affect people breeding ornamental fish in home aquariums or backyard tanks, creating additional barriers for small-scale breeders and an industry with commercial and export potential.
The Bill’s provisions on traditional use of animals could also affect the handling of elephants during religious and cultural events.
Although traditional use is permitted subject to the condition that no harm is caused, Pethiyagoda points out that terms such as “harm” and “unnecessary pain” could leave considerable room for interpretation.
Practices involving chaining, tethering and the use of traditional elephant-handling equipment could potentially come under scrutiny.
He has also questioned the Bill’s enforcement structure.
Overall administration is assigned to the Director General of Animal Production and Health, while Government Veterinary Surgeons are given enforcement responsibilities.
Pethiyagoda questions whether veterinarians, whose primary role is animal health, should also be expected to undertake functions involving criminal investigation, entry into private premises, seizure of evidence and court proceedings.
Section 33 gives authorised personnel powers to enter private property and seize evidence, making strong safeguards essential to prevent arbitrary enforcement and possible abuse.
Pethiyagoda also questions the composition of the proposed Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, particularly the relatively limited representation of registered animal welfare organisations.
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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