Petition to be submitted to IGP over animal abuse at Kelaniya New Year festival

An Animal rights activist group is planning to deliver a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against alleged incidents of animal abuse that occurred at a New Year festival held at Kelaniya.

The New Year festival held on Saturday (6) featured events such as 'Thirikkal' races, pony races as well as elephant races.

Video footage of the events held on the road in front of Keleniya Raja Maha Viharaya premises appear to portray abusive behavior by people, where some can be seen riding motorcycles along with the running bulls Some people can be seen running along with the elephants as well, and some elephants are seen carrying their own shackles in their trunks.

Director of Rare Sri Lanka, Panchali Panapitiya told the Sunday Times that the behavior of the people at the New Year festival was abusive towards the animals.

She explained that in addition, having the event in a residential area posed a danger to the public as well as the animals.

"The bulls which were used for the race were intimidated, making them run amok, one animal sustaining injuries too," she said.

Ms Panapitiya pointed out  that the cattle could have died of shock after being excessively stressed.

She claimed that elephants too ran amok at the event endangering safety of people.

Therefore she added that she would submit a pettiton to the IGP urging police to take action.