Sri Lanka To Protect Domesticated Elephants: When Do We Enact The Animal Welfare Bill?

By Avanthi Jayasuriya –November 25, 2016

Avanthi Jayasuriya

On November 22nd the Cabinet approved a bill focusing on elephants kept domestically. The regulations that were proposed by Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera included also a set of guidelines that should be adhered to by those seeking to rear domestic elephants. Some of the main areas of focus underlined include,  formalizing the way to maintain the places elephants are kept, maintaining their health, responsibilities of their owners and caretakers, caring of baby elephants born to such female elephants, deploying elephants in work, reproduction, using for perahera and video shootings, and attires for elephants. This proposal also falls under amendments to the Flora and Fauna Act No.22 of 2009.

Speaking on the recently approved Bill Ms. Deepani Jayantha, Veterinarian, Country Coordinator of Elemotion said, “Some of Sri Lanka’s recent developments and steps taken on securing elephant conservation and welfare is commendable. But with legislation, there is also the need for enforcement. I hope the implementation of the proposed Bill for the protection of elephants will come into effect soon.”

While due appreciation is given to the positive change towards the treatment of elephants by seeking to prevent them from being subjected to cruelty, it also needs to be noted that it has been almost a year since the Cabinet approval for the draft Animal Welfare Bill was received. Unfortunately the Bill still remains at the Legal Draftsman’s office while many animal welfare activists eagerly await its enactment. Almost a decade in the making, the draft bill was approved by the Cabinet following the public consultation that was last held in 2015. Following the proposed changes received by the public consultation, the Cabinet approval for the Bill was received on January 13, 2016. There onwards the Bill was passed to the legal draftsman for the changes to be incorporated into the Bill, and for it to be drafted with the changes included.

The last amendment to the law addressing cruelty to animals that Sri Lanka has seen, was in 1955. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance of 1907 under which welfare of animals is taken into consideration is over a century old, with outdated fines, and the implementation being on a rare occasion and therefore, is in need of urgent reforms.

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