Despite significant progress in controlling the community dog population in Sri Lanka, over 60% of community dogs have been sterilised and more than 80% vaccinated against diseases like rabies, irresponsible abandonment of puppies continues to be a major issue, according to Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, Executive Committee Member of the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC).
Dr. Nanayakkara highlighted that 85% of pet owners are still unaware of where to seek help or guidance on controlling the dog population. He stressed the importance of establishing proper systems and public awareness programmes to encourage dog sterilisation.
While proposals and plans for such programmes are in place, a lack of coordination among government departments has prevented their full implementation. However, he pointed out that humane methods, like spay-neuter-vaccinate programmes, have shown success in areas like Anuradhapura, and could work if rolled out effectively across the country.
Dr. Nanayakkara suggested forming a secretariat under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance to create a comprehensive national policy addressing both human-animal conflicts and the growing risks posed by wild animals to crops and people. He emphasized that misinformation provided to authorities only exacerbates these issues.
He further underlined the importance of developing a national policy that aligns with the country’s cultural practices, highlighting that Sri Lanka does not shoot animals, a stance contrary to suggestions made by some ministers. He stressed that tourists visit the country to experience its natural beauty and wildlife, such as elephants, rather than its buildings.
On a positive note, Dr. Nanayakkara shared that the number of deaths from dog bites had significantly reduced. In 2007, 63 people lost their lives due to dog bites, whereas by 2024, this number had dropped to just 11. This progress, he said, demonstrates the potential for further improvement with the right national policies and coordinated action.
