FR case filed against slaughter of cats and dogs

By S.S. Selvanayagam

A senior counsel who is in the vanguard in the battle against animal cruelty yesterday raised concerns in the Supreme Court that although the killing of dogs has now been prevented through the initiation of a fundamental rights petition they are still being used in Chinese soups.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena told the Court that residents in Kollupitiya had complained to the police about dogs continuously yelping in the vicinity of Chinese restaurants.

The Supreme Court yesterday fixed to be mentioned on 13 November the fundamental rights petition filed by Buddhist clergy and laypersons decrying the killing of dogs and cats in various parts of the country.

The bench comprised justices B.P. Aluvihara, Priyantha Jayawardane and Nalin Perera.

The petitioners are the venerable theros Ananda, Wewala Seelarathna, Liyawela Sasanarathan, Wekandawela Rahula, Sooriyawewa Ananda, Wattehena Vijitha, Andarawawe Kassapa, Kirama Saddharanda, Getamanne Sashanarthana, Angunukulapallesse Deepananda, Wekandawela Padmasiri, Mirrisse Dhammawansha, Beddedwewa Premasiri and Sagarika Rajakarunanayake as well as Animal Protection Trust Chairperson Lorraine Bibile, its Secretary Sharminie Ratnayake and Iraki Lankika Koddituwakku.

Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC with Charita Rupesinghe appeared for the petitioners. Additional Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appeared for the Attorney General.

They cited the IGP, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha, Minister of  Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, the Colombo Municipal Council, secretaries of the provinces,  Ultrakill Ltd, Rakna Araksha Lanka Ltd, Moratuwa University Vice Chancellor Prof. Ananda Jayawardena, the Attorney General and others as respondents. Additional Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appeared for the Attorney General.

The complaint of the petitioners is that the ongoing and virtual mass-scale killing of dogs and cats is causing pain and suffering to animals.

The petitioners seek the intervention of the Supreme Court and state that the Sri Lanka is a majority Buddhist country which includes a constitutional guarantee of Buddhism being given the foremost place.

They state that according to Buddhism, every living being has the right to life and the right to live without suffering at the hands of another.

They say that dogs and cats within the premises of Moratuwa University as well as the Sri Jayawardenepura were killed by the illegal administration of a toxic drug known as Ketamine.

They assert that animals had been brutally killed at the Ragama Rehabilitation Hospital, Monaragala Hospital and several other places.The petitioners are asking court for punitive compensation against the respondents and their agent.