Friday Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Monday, 9 February 2026 02:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A coalition of animal welfare organisations and individual advocates has called on the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) to collaborate on humane solutions for managing community dogs, amid concerns over proposed internal regulations scheduled for discussion tomorrow (10).
In a joint letter addressed to the Club’s President, Captain, and Committee, the groups urge management not to proceed with clauses 8A.5.1–8A.5.3 in their current form, arguing that blanket prohibitions on feeding or caring for community animals may lead to unintended and harmful consequences.
Instead, the coalition has offered to work with the Club and like-minded members to implement sterilisation, vaccination, identification, and controlled feeding in a designated peripheral area away from the golf course itself. They say this approach aligns with internationally recognised best practice and Sri Lanka’s public health objectives.
The groups have also raised serious concerns about past actions allegedly taken in 2025, during which, they claim, community dogs were captured and removed from the premises and dumped elsewhere without due process. They argue that such actions, if verified, would be inconsistent with Sri Lankan law and established animal welfare standards.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, No. 13 of 1907 causing unnecessary suffering to animals—including through improper transport, abandonment, or displacement—is an offence. Animal welfare advocates note that forcibly relocating community dogs often results in injury, starvation, territorial conflict, and increased rabies risk, and is widely discouraged by veterinary authorities.
“Removal is not a solution—it creates a vacuum,” said one campaigner. “Sterilised and vaccinated dogs stabilise an area. Dumping them elsewhere only transfers suffering and risk.”
The coalition stressed that their appeal is not confrontational but collaborative. They point out that humane dog management programs have been successfully implemented in other high-profile and sensitive locations in Sri Lanka, with the cooperation of management and staff.
“This is an opportunity for the RCGC to demonstrate leadership,” the letter states, “by adopting a humane, lawful, and socially responsible approach consistent with its heritage and standing.”
As public awareness grows, animal welfare groups say they hope the Club will engage openly and choose dialogue over division.
