CA directs to expedite Animal Welfare Bill

Thursday, 17 January 2019 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Court of Appeal yesterday directed the Respondents, including the Minister of Livestock & Animal Welfare, to expeditiously and forthwith facilitate the enactment of the Animal Welfare Bill and to submit a progress report to Court by 1 February.

The Bench comprised Justices Deepali Wijesundera (Acting President/CA) and Achala Wengappuli.

Court issued the above direction pertaining to raise animal welfare and to enforce the existing laws against all offenders when the Writ Petition seeking to prevent the bid to export or transport the baby elephant “Nandi” to New Zealand as a gift came up.

Petitioners include Dharmavijaya Foundation, its President Olcott Gunasekera, Bodhiraja Foundation, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thero, Ven. Bowatte Indaratana Thero, Brother Lionel Peiris of The Franciscan Society, Vice President of Sri Lanka Animal Protection Association Lorraine Margurite Bibile, Secretary Sharmanie Desiree, Chairperson of Animal Welfare Trust Irangani De Silva, Its trustees Visakha Tillekeratne and Kumudhini Sarawanamuttu and Devaka Attugalle, as well as Lalani Serasinghe Perera, Mayura Tissa Bibile, Nikita Ravin Tessera, Dr Chamith Nanayakkara, Dr Udaya Wijayawardane and Gamini Wanigaratne. The Petitioners are persons who are actively interested and involved in the prevention of cruelty towards animals, protection of animals and the promotion of the welfare of animals.

They cited the IGP, Director Crimes, Minister of Livestock & Rural Community Development, Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister in charge of the subject of Animal Welfare, Director General of Wildlife Conservation, Veterinary Council of Ceylon, Environment & Natural Resources Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Provincial Directors of Provincial Departments of Animal, Chief Secretaries of the Provinces, the Attorney General and others as Respondents.

Sanjeeva Jayawardane PC with Lakmini Warusewitane appeared for the Petitioners. Senior State Counsel Chaya Nammuni appeared for the Respondents.