Collared and safe on the streets
View(s):Having launched the ‘Stray Guard’ project in Batticaloa to reduce road accidents involving stray animals, particularly at night, Vithurshan Sayalolibavan hopes to expand the project to other districts of the country
By Sajani Ratnayake
In a world where stray animals are often at risk from speeding traffic, a young engineer from Batticaloa, backed by his team, has launched an innovative project to protect both animals and drivers.
Vithurshan Sayalolibavan, a graduate of the University of Jaffna, is the founder of ‘Stray Guard’, that aims to save stray dogs and cattle from road accidents by safeguarding them with reflective collars that light up at night, enhancing their visibility to drivers.
Born and raised in Batticaloa, Vithurshan was no stranger to stray animals roaming the streets, particularly in the early mornings and late evenings, often the victims of tragic road accidents, and posing a danger to motorists and drivers too.
Glowing in the dark: A collared street dog with Vithurshan
The concept for ‘Stray Guard’ was sparked in 2023 when Vithurshan stumbled upon a social media post; a reel from an Indian community where a man had launched a similar project, fitting stray dogs with reflective collars to make them visible to oncoming traffic at night.
At the time, Vithurshan was leading the Education Incentive Association (EIA), a non-profit focused on bridging educational gaps in rural Sri Lanka. The organisation, which brings together medical and engineering undergraduates and graduates, runs various programmes to inspire students and promote social change. When Vithurshan shared the idea of the reflective collar project with his team, they immediately rallied behind it. Within months, 250 collars were ordered to fit both dogs and cattle, and after overcoming many challenges, the project was launched in June 2023 with the support of the Batticaloa Municipal Council.
‘Stray Guard’ went viral across Sri Lanka within weeks of its launch, capturing the attention of local authorities and animal welfare advocates. Receiving recognition from the Sri Lanka Police Media Division and the Commissioner of the Batticaloa Municipal Council, on December 17, 2024, the ‘Stray Guard’ association was officially founded, with a mission to reduce road accidents involving stray animals, particularly at night.
‘Stray Guard’ project includes roaming cattle too
The reflective collars used by ‘Stray Guard’ are made of durable, highly reflective material and their bright orange colour enhances daytime visibility, while the reflective strips make animals easily detectable at night, regardless of distance. The collars are comfortable, with a water-resistant material that prevents fungal infections and ensures that the collars remain intact even during heavy rain.
The initiative also supports the community as the collars are sewn by local women who take on the task as a side income, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills while contributing to a meaningful cause.
‘Stray Guard’ is not only about safety, but educating the public on animal welfare. “I hope this project will inspire greater compassion for stray animals and promote humane treatment, raising awareness about the broader issues of animal rights and welfare in Sri Lanka too,” says Vithurshan.
Vithurshan and the ‘Stray Guard’ team have plans to expand their reach to other districts across Sri Lanka by collaborating with volunteer organisations and local clubs. They want to ensure that other animals too receive collars if needed; the latest request has come from the Rotary Club of Mannar asking for reflective collars for donkeys.
“We are looking for more partners, Rotaract clubs, Leo clubs, and other volunteer associations, to help us expand our efforts,” Vithurshan says. “The more people who are aware of this initiative, the more lives we can save.”
He urges those who share a similar passion to safeguarding animals all around the country to contribute too, for community involvement is crucial to the success of ‘Stray Guard’. Donating reflective collars, organising fundraising events, hosting collar outfitting drives, or even through spreading the word on social media can contribute to saving a life, he says.
‘Stray Guard’ can be
found on Phone and
Whatsapp- 0772478273, Facebook- Stray Guard, and Instagram- stray_guard.
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