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Animal rights activists hail ritual sacrifice not taking place
View(s):The annual animal sacrifice that takes place at the Munneswaran Kovil did not take place this year, which animal rights groups say is a boost to their prolonged legal battle to put an end to the cruel practice. The animal sacrifice was scheduled to take place on August 30, but did not go ahead as the Temple authorities had not applied for the necessary permit for the ritual slaughter from the Chilaw Pradeshiya Sabha as per court order.
The permit is granted only on condition that the temple authorities adhere to the conditions in the Butchers Ordinance in order to carry out slaughter of animals. Meanwhile animal rights groups will canvass the Government to get the long delayed Animal Welfare Bill passed through Parliament within the course of the year.
The Bill was submitted to Cabinet in March 2015 as part of President Maithripala Sirisena’s “100 Days Work Program but has not been presented to the House. A petition urging the urgent enactment of the Bill is being readied to be submitted to President Sirisena by an animal rights group, Dharma Voices for Animals (DVA).
The signing of the petition began in 2013 and the Group will re-commence the petition to allow more people both Sri Lankans and foreigners to lend their support to it.Animal rights activists say the prevailing legislation dealing with animal welfare is outdated and in dire need of amendments to deal with modern day realties.
“The governing statute, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, dates back to 1907, the British colonial period. This law is antiquated, and it completely fails to address the welfare of animals in modern society. Its limitations are particularly apparent when compared to animal welfare legislation of neighbouring countries such as India and Bhutan or western countries such as England or Australia. For example, the maximum punishment it provides for the heinous crime of cruelty perpetrated on an animal in violation of its provisions is a fine of 100 Rupees – barely $1 U.S,” activists said. (CK)