Animal lover with a big heart

Dr. Sisal Dayananda Godamunne is a man with a big heart. His compassion has extended from humans to animals as he has been responsible for freeing cattle destined to the slaughter house and handing them over to poor families.

Dr. Godamunne (81) who established the Non-Violence Society in Kandy is a doctor who continues with his private medical practice while engaging in helping animals subject to cruelty.During the past ten years since the founding of this Society, Dr.Godamune along with his staff have saved more than 7000 cattle from the slaughter house.

The cattle saved from the slaughter house were presented to needy families to assist them in their farming activities.“We enter into an agreement before giving away the cattle to ensure they are not sold for meat,” the compassionate doctor said. He said a difficulty faced by his organisation in buying cattle destined for slaughter is that the owners of those animals quote a much higher price than the actual value of the animals and hence it has become an expensive affair to free the cattle.

He said it is illegal to slaughter animals used for agricultural purposes as well as sick animals. There was the need to inform every police station of these regulations so that such cruel practices could be stopped, he said. Dr.Godamunne and his colleagues have not extended their kindness to saving cattle only. They have formed another organisation called ‘Let’s Save Our Friends’ to feed stray cats and dogs and give them medical attention.

Dr..Godamunne said he with his colleagues will continue the work to save animals and hopes more people will join him in extending their support to stop cruelty to animals in the country.