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NMRA warns public against use of ‘Depo’ on pets

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The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has banned the use of Depo (Depo-Provera)—a contraceptive injection intended for humans—on dogs, cats, and other animals in Sri Lanka. The decision follows a coordinated campaign by animal welfare organizations and veterinary professionals who highlighted the misuse of the drug as both harmful and inappropriate for veterinary care.

The campaign, launched earlier this year, was led by the State Veterinary Surgeons’ Association (SVSA) with strong support from the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA) and the Sri Lanka Veterinary Council (SLVC). Advocates from the Kandy Association for Community Protection through Animal Welfare (KACPAW) met with the Director General of Health and the NMRA, urging immediate regulatory intervention.

The World Health Organization (WHO) was also informed of the misuse, highlighting the issue’s global importance. The advocates emphasized that a drug designed for human contraception should not be used in veterinary practice.

With the ban now in place, the NMRA has called on the public to stay alert and report any instances of the injection being used on animals. Complaints should be directed to local police or the NMRA to ensure adherence to the new regulations. Pet owners are also being encouraged to inform others about this change to protect the health and safety of animals.

KACPAW hailed the decision as a significant win for animal welfare in Sri Lanka, marking a crucial step towards ensuring that veterinary practices prioritize animal health and adhere to proper standards.

CEO of the NMRA has issued the following notice to the pharmacy owners and pharmacists: “It has been brought to the notice of the NMRA by several NGOO and Veterinary Professionals that ‘Depo-Provera’ (Medroxyprogesterone acetate) is being used on cats & dogs as a measure of birth control of animals. As a result, animals are exposed to various pathetic and life-threatening conditions like Odema in ovaries (Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia), Infection in ovaries (Pyometra). Diabetes, Mammary Tumors, Obesity etc.

KACPAW has said in a media statement: “Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesterone acetate) has been registered with the NMRA as a schedule 11B medicine (Prescription only Medicine-POM) intended solely for the use on humans by qualified physicians.

“As such, the Pharmacy Owners/Pharmacists are severely warned.

i. To issue “Depo-Provera” (Medroxyprogesterone acetate) only on a valid prescription issued by a qualified medical practitioner.

ii. Every issuance of “Depo-Provera” (Medroxyprogesterone acetate) should be entered in the prescription book.

iii. Should advise that this medicine should never be used on animals under any circumstances.

“The progress of issuance of this medicine will be supervised by Authorized officers in your region.”



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Six lion cubs born at Ridiagama Safari park named

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The six lion cubs born at the Ridiagama safari park were named ata ceremony held at the park today (12)

The offspring of  Lara and Sula were named Mega, Tara and Agra while the offspring of Dora and Wolly were named Bhumi, Akira and Elsa.

 

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President meets Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 2025 World Governments Summit, met with the Prime Minister of State of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah on Tuesday (11) afternoon .

During the discussion, President Disanayake highlighted Sri Lanka’s improved political and financial stability, emphasizing the expanded potentials in investment and tourism sectors.

Both leaders focused on strengthening trade relations and diversifying markets between the two countries. They also discussed the importance of exploring new strategic initiatives to enhance economic cooperation.

President Disanayake expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister and the State of Kuwait for its support in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan facility, acknowledging its contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Additionally, the President noted that approximately 155,000 Sri Lankan workers are employed in Kuwait, contributing USD 700 million in annual remittances, which serves as a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s economy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, accompanied the President on this visit.

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AKD’s attention drawn to ITAK’s threat to demolish Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya

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Sarath Weerasekera

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday said that it was the responsibility of the NPP government to ensure the safety of Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya, Kankesanthurai.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake holding the defence portfolio in addition to being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces should look into the developing situation, the retired Navy Chief of Staff said.

The ex-lawmaker was responding to Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) leader S. Sritharan’s threat to demolish the Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya unless the government handed over the premises to owners of the land acquired over the years to build the Viharaya.

The warning issued at a media conference held at the Jaffna Press Club recently should also draw the immediate attention of the Parliament, Weeraselera said, stressing that the ruling party as well as other political parties represented in parliament couldn’t turn a blind eye to what he called an explosive development.

Declaring that the ITAK had the backing of the north-based EPDP and TNPF, the ITAK chief has vowed to launch a protest against viharaya and to take over the premises.

Weerasekera said that Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala should take immediate measures to prevent build-up against Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya.

According to him, during his tenure as the Chairman of Oversight Committee on National Security he inquired into the situation therein and addressed the issues at hand. Therefore, the ITAK and other Jaffna-based political parties shouldn’t seek to trigger chaos not only in Jaffna, but in other parts as well.

Responding to another query, Weerasekera, who unsuccessfully contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket, urged the NPP as a political party to take a stand as the north was won by them. The unprecedented defeat suffered by the ITAK at the Nov 2024 general election proved that the vast majority of northerners had rejected separatist agenda pursued by the ITAK etc., and therefore it was trying to incite people, Weerasekera said.

ITAK had conveniently forgotten that it regained the right to represent Tamil speaking people again only after the military had eradicated the LTTE that was recognised by the party way back in 2001 as the sole representative of Tamil speaking people, Weerasekera said, asserting that the planned action against Tissa viharaya could be part of their strategy to regain lost ground in the northern and eastern provinces.

Weerasekera said that the ITAK’s threat reminded him of the violent Pongu Thamil campaign launched in the aftermath of 2002 Ceasefire Accord signed between the then government and the LTTE.

Asked whether he intended to push SLPP to raise the temple issue in Parliament, the former minister answered in the affirmative, saying that all right thinking MPs would oppose the ITAK’s racist move.

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