Representatives of the Animal Welfare Coalition said the long-delayed Animal Welfare Act has now reached its final stage before being presented to Cabinet.
Veterinarian Chamith Nanayakkara and Madushanka Fernando recently met Dr. Dhammika Patabendi to discuss expediting the legislative process.
According to the activists, the Environment Minister confirmed that the Ministry’s recommendations have already been submitted and that arrangements are underway to present the draft bill to the Cabinet through the Ministry of Agriculture.
The coalition said several proposals made by animal welfare groups during previous committee discussions have been incorporated into the latest draft, based on information obtained through the Right to Information Act from Parliament, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Attorney General’s Department.
They noted that once approved by Cabinet, the bill will be gazetted for public review before being tabled in Parliament. Citizens will also have the opportunity to challenge any controversial provisions before the Supreme Court, while further amendments could be introduced during the parliamentary committee stage.
Activists stressed that the existing legal framework offers inadequate protection to animals facing cruelty and urged all groups campaigning against animal abuse to support the swift enactment of the new law.
