Sri Lankan animal rights activists today (April 03) protested against the rounding up of stray dogs ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Activists point out that authorities in Colombo and the sacred city of Anuradhapura have deployed dog catchers to impound stray dogs.

The Indian PM, who will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (April 04) is to receive an official welcome at Colombo’s Independence Square and is also set to visit the holy city of Anuradhapura to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

Around a dozen protesters from the Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) waved placards outside President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s office in Colombo today after submitting a petition to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

RARE Sri Lanka activists point out that most of these dogs have been vaccinated, neutered, and cared for by local residents, animal welfare organizations, and respective municipal councils as part of Sri Lanka’s humane animal population management efforts.

“Not a cent from Budget 2025 for dog sterilization”

A statement by Panchali Panapitiya, Chairman of RARE Sri Lanka points out that although the cause of animal welfare were used in election campaigns of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Harini Amarasuriya, not a single cent had been allotted by Budget 2025 for sterilization programmes of dogs.

“During AKDs Presidential election campaign, the National People’s Power (NPP) party used an advertisement featuring a man stopping his car to feed dogs on the street. This powerful image conveyed a message of compassion, empathy, and commitment to animal welfare, which resonated with animal lovers across the country. Similarly, the Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya also used themes of animal welfare and compassion in her campaign for the NPP,” the statement notes.

“Are you aware that AKD has  not issued a single cent from the Budget for Sterilization Programmes of dogs? All previous Governments have allocated funds for sterilization programmes since 2007,” the statement adds.

Rationale?

Meanwhile, a statement by Ms. Anusha David, Trustee of the Rescue Animals Sri Lanka has also slammed the move, questioning its rationality when PM Modi has clearly demonstrated his love of animals and while India itself has an estimated 70 million community dogs. 

“The so called People’s President has forgotten his election promises and proved himself to be no better than his predecessors . In the words of Mahatma Gandhi ” the progress of a Nation can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated “, it would behove our President well, to adhere to the principles of the Mahatma ahead of PM Modi’s visit, instead of trying to annihilate these hapless animals, most of whom have been sterilized, neutered , vaccinated and are 95 % human friendly,” the statement notes.

“Hope ran high prior to the elections that the People’s President would address a number of issues that have burdened the people of Sri Lanka starting with the COL – but no, their focus remains on destroying nature and wildlife. The appointment of the Prime Minister was greeted with much enthusiasm as she was perceived as a woman of intelligence and education and one who had a respect and regard for animals and nature – this perception has fallen by the wayside. The NPP’s Mayoral candidate this morning claimed that the clearance of the dogs has nothing to do with the govt but needs to be brought up with the CMC – but then as she is representing the CMC should she not be able to handle this burning issue which portrays our country in a most unfavourable light?,” the statement adds. 

Don’t resort to knee-jerk reactions – BCI

In addition, The Blue Cross of India (BCI), which is a prominent animal welfare charity based in Chennai, India has issued a statement addressed to Sri Lankan President – Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the matter. 

Noting that it was India which gave the concept of ‘Ahimsa’ (non violence) to the world, in thought, word and deed, the statement notes that it is ‘most ironic’ that the government agencies of Sri Lanka are trying to remove community dogs from the streets to welcome the Indian Prime Minister.

The statement signed by the organisation’s chairman – Dr. S. Chinny Krisha also notes that the Animal Welfare Board of India, set up by an Act of Parliament in 1962,  has issued a warning two weeks ago that all community dogs must taken care of the communities they live in and that they cannot be removed or relocated.

“Our Prime Minister is known for his genuine compassion towards all life and his government has the only statutory body in the world to do the right thing by our animals – Animal Welfare Board of India, set up by an Act of Parliament in 1962,” the statement adds.

It further notes that India is also the “point of origin of the now well known ABC programme, short for Animal Birth Control programme which mandates that every local body=or municipality must implement sterilising the dogs in their areas.”

“As a former Vice Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, may I implore you to please issue directions to the municipalities to please follow the ABC rules of India and not to resort to a knee-jerk reaction of resorting to the removal of dogs just because our Prime Minister is visiting your beautiful country,” the statement concludes.