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Dormant Animal Welfare Bill gets turbo boost after Cher’s criticism of Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage?

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By Ifham Nizam

The Cabinet has granted approval for the publication of the Animal Welfare Bill in the government gazette.

In addition, approval was given for submitting the Animal Welfare Bill to Parliament for ratification.

According to the Department of Government Information approval was granted for drafting the Animal Welfare Bill on the 19 October 2020.

The Attorney General has given the clearance for the draft Bill.

The Island learns that Cabinet approved the much-awaited Animal Welfare Bill a few days after a US pop star Cher criticised a state-run elephant orphanage.

The Animal Welfare Bill was drafted some 15 years ago to replace a century-old law. However, the Bill was delayed due to a number of reasons.

Last week, US veteran singer Cher took to Twitter to criticise the state-run Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage over a video shared by the orphanage of a new born twin elephant being taken to the nearby river for their first bath, along with their mother and a fellow herd member. The video showed a caretaker dragging one of the elephants to the water by its ear.

“Does this look right, humane to anyone? These babies look terrified, they want their mother. Why do PPL sell their souls for dollars,” said Cher in a tweet.

“The zoo will make a fortune and then elephants momma, and nanny will be traumatized forever,” she tweeted again.



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Sixth anniversary of Easter Sunday carnage: Special security provided to churches

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Police and armed forces personnel will be deployed at all churches today as the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks is marked.Police stations have been instructed to provide special security to churches in their areas and seek assistance from the STF and tri-forces where additional manpower is needed.

Security arrangements have been made under the direction of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha convened a special meeting on Thursday, instructing the Commanders of the Tri-Forces to implement a comprehensive security plan to safeguard worshippers attending Easter Sunday services.

He further directed that the measures be taken in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Security to ensure effective implementation and to allow Christians to attend services without fear or inconvenience.The main commemoration service is set to begin with a procession from St. Lucia’s Cathedral at 7:00 a.m., with participation from Catholics

in nearby parishes—particularly from Colombo Central, Colombo North, Wattala, and Ragama—as well as brothers from junior and national seminaries, priests, and religious leaders. Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is expected to conduct the prayer service, which is scheduled to begin at 8:40 a.m.

A separate commemoration will also take place at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, in two sessions—one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 4:30 p.m.

By Norman Palihawadane

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Easter Sunday carnage: Catholic Bishops’ Conference renews call for justice

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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka says that ascertaining who the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 were and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act, is a matter of urgency.

In its special message for Easter the conference says: “This Easter also marks the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on innocent worshipers at Catholic and other Christian Churches and in other places in 2019, causing death and injuries to hundreds of people. In this regard, we observe that certain positive steps have been taken by the present government to ensure an independent and impartial inquiry into this brutal attack.

While we appreciate the efforts made so far, we insist that as a matter of urgency and justice, the final aim of the inquiries should be to ascertain who the perpetrators are and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act.

We shall continue to pray earnestly for wisdom and courage for the leaders of our country, as well as solace and healing for the victims,” the message signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera and Secretary General Bishop Anthony Jayakody said.

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Bill to abolish Online Safety law gazetted

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MP Ravi Karunanayake

A new bill has been drafted to abolish the controversial Online Safety law passed by the previous government.

A gazette notification, announcing “Bill to Repeal the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024”, has been issued.

The bill has been presented as a Private Member’s Bill by MP Ravi Karunanayake.

By Akitha Perera

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