An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued to prevent the further spread of African swine fever (ASF), which has recently affected several Divisional Secretariats across the country.
The notification, issued by the Director General of Animal Production and Health, declares all districts in Sri Lanka as African swine fever risk areas and classifies pigs as disease risk animals under the Animal Diseases Act No. 59 of 1992.
The gazette comes into effect from October 3 and will remain valid for up to three months, unless revoked earlier or extended depending on the prevailing disease situation, as per Section 5(3) of the Act.
The Director General has also prohibited specific activities and movements related to pigs in order to contain the spread of the disease, with further details outlined in the gazette notification.
