Sri Lanka’s long-awaited Animal Welfare Bill has been published in the Government Gazette — dated July 17, 2026 — providing for fines of up to Rs. 250,000 and/or up to two years’ imprisonment for acts of animal cruelty, Daily Mirror and Ada Derana reported.
The gazetting marks a significant step for legislation that animal-rights advocates have sought for decades. It comes just a day after the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population publicly urged authorities not to delay the enactment of the law any further, warning that continued delay would prolong the suffering of animals.
The new framework is intended to modernise Sri Lanka’s animal-protection regime, which has long relied on outdated provisions that critics say carry only nominal penalties. By setting substantial financial and custodial penalties, the bill aims to create a stronger deterrent against cruelty and neglect.
The veterinarians’ association had argued that repeated postponements left animals without meaningful legal protection and undermined efforts to promote humane treatment. Its appeal was the latest in a series of calls from professional bodies and welfare groups for the measure to be finalised.
With the bill now gazetted, it is expected to be presented to Parliament for debate and passage. Animal-welfare organisations are likely to press for swift adoption to ensure the framework is brought into force without further delay.
