News
Animal welfare advocates proposes measures to regulate pet ownership
In the absence of a unified framework to regulate pet ownership, Sri Lanka’s animal
‑welfare advocates has unveiled a sweeping proposal to register, monitor and humanely manage the country’s dog and cat populations.
Under the plan, every privately owned animal would be entered into a national database maintained by the Department of Animal Production and Health. At the point of registration, a small DNA sample would be taken to build a comprehensive genetic profile, and each animal would be issued a unique identification number linked to its owner’s contact information.
Once registered, municipalities or accredited non
‑governmental organisations would operate an animal‑care centre in each major town. Stray or unregistered animals found roaming freely would be brought to these centres, where veterinary staff would verify their status, provide any needed medical attention and update their records. The centres could operate under private‑sector licences or be managed directly by state veterinary services, ensuring consistent standards of care across the country.
A cornerstone of the initiative is a sustained sterilization campaign: every dog and cat entering a care centre would undergo spay or neuter surgery before being returned to its owner, adopted or—if truly unclaimed—released. Advocates project that, through continuous centre
‑based sterilisation efforts, Sri Lanka’s stray population could be brought under control in approximately ten years.
“To solve the problem of stray dogs roaming across Sri Lanka, a coordinated national
‑level process is essential,” said Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasam, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Environment. “With animal monitoring, registration and sterilization, we can confront this issue head‑on,” he said.
Supporters of the proposal now hope to secure parliamentary approval for the regulatory framework and funding for pilot centres by year’s end. If adopted, the plan would mark the first time Sri Lankan authorities have the tools to track every pet, ensure responsible ownership and put an end to decades of unchecked stray‑dog growth.
By Ifham Nizam
The Paddy Marketing Board has approximately 115,000 metric tonnes of paddy stocks purchased from farmers, which are currently stored in the Board’s warehouses, and it has been planned to retain a sufficient buffer stock from these reserves and sell the remaining quantity in order to provide the necessary storage space and financial resources for the purchase of paddy from farmers during the upcoming Yala season.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to sell the aforementioned paddy stocks
following a formal tender procedure.
The Promotion of Export Agriculture Act, No. 46 of 1992 provides the legal provisions for regulating and promoting the export agriculture sector in this country.
Taking into consideration administrative changes and sectoral developments that have taken place over time, approval was granted at the Cabinet Meetings held on 2023-09-04 and 2025-08-11 to amend the said Act, which has not been updated for over 30 years.
The proposed amendments are intended to amend the designations of the Head of the Department of Export Agriculture and other officials, and to provide a clearer definition of the term “the export agricultural crop.”
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish in the Government Gazette the Draft Export Agriculture Promotion (Amendment) Bill, prepared in all three languages by the Legal Draftsman to amend the Export Agriculture Promotion Act, No. 46 of 1992, and thereafter submit the same to Parliament for its concurrence
Latest News
Ms. M.K.D.N. Madampe, appointed as Director General of the Department of Management Services
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to appoint Ms. M.K.D.N. Madampe, an officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service in the Special Grade who is currently serving as an Additional Director General of the Department of Management Services, to the post of Director General of the Department of Management Services with immediate effect.
Cabinet approves sale of Paddy stocks held by the Paddy Marketing Board
Amendment to the Promotion of Export Agriculture Act, No. 46 of 1992 to be gazatted
Ms. M.K.D.N. Madampe, appointed as Director General of the Department of Management Services
Cabinet approves collaboration agreement between Sri Lanka and Brazil for the implementation of the “Sugarcane Project in Sri Lanka”
Cabinet approval for Implementation of a Project for the Joint Exchange of Genetic Resources between Sri Lanka and Vietnam and the Development of High-Yielding and Salinity-resilient Rice Varieties.
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