Culture, welfare and politics clash over Sri Lanka’s long-delayed animal welfare law

The bill, which has spent nearly two decades in legal limbo, was finally published in the Government Gazette on July 17, 2026. It is now awaiting parliamentary approval. If passed, it will mark Sri Lanka's most significant overhaul of animal protection laws, introducing stronger safeguards and stricter penalties for offenders.

Key provisions of the bill

The proposed legislation seeks to replace the outdated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance of 1907. Key provisions include:

• Penalties for cruelty: Those convicted of animal cruelty could face fines of up to Rs. 250,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. For the cruel killing of an animal, penalties increase to a fine of up to Rs. 500,000 and prison terms of up to three to four years.

• Prohibited acts: The bill makes it an offence to beat, kick, torture, overload, overbreed, abandon or poison animals, or intentionally deprive them of food, water or shelter. Keeping animals in inadequate enclosures, cruel restraint, and performing medical procedures without the necessary qualifications are also prohibited.

• Banning animal abuse events: The bill cracks down on organised animal abuse by banning sport hunting, shooting matches, animal fighting and baiting.

• Regulation of commercial sale: Pet shops and breeding centres will require licences, while the sale of animals on streets or to persons under 16 will be prohibited.

• Transport standards: New welfare standards for transporting animals will be introduced, with violations carrying fines of up to Rs. 300,000.

• Enforcement: All offences will be cognizable, allowing police to make arrests without a warrant. The bill also provides for the establishment of a National Animal Welfare Authority and an advisory committee to oversee implementation.

The cultural clash: elephants and the Esala Perahera

The most contentious aspect of the bill is its potential impact on the use of domesticated elephants in religious processions, particularly the Kandy Esala Perahera. This centuries-old festival, one of the nation's oldest and grandest, transforms the hill capital into a spectacular display of colour, music, dance, and caparisoned elephants, honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Around 100 elephants traditionally participate in the historic annual procession.

Opponents of the bill, including some politicians, Buddhist monks, and elephant owners, argue that it could effectively prohibit the chaining of elephants, making their use in religious processions difficult. They fear that this would threaten the continuation of centuries-old Buddhist ceremonial traditions. Ashoka Dangolla, a veterinarian involved in caring for the Kandy Perahera elephants for over two decades, argued that the bill has "a lot of ambiguities" and that the practical knowledge of owners and mahouts should have been considered during drafting.

The United National Party (UNP) also claimed that the proposed bill undermines the Perahera tradition, alleging it forms part of a government "de-Buddhism programme".

However, animal welfare advocates and government officials have pushed back against these claims. The Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Ministry has assured that the bill will not affect the conduct of Buddhist religious events, including peraheras. The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has also stated that claims the bill would prohibit elephants from participating in cultural processions or completely ban the chaining of elephants are false. They argue that the bill does not explicitly ban chains but seeks to prevent unnecessary pain, suffering, and cruelty.

The Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Buddhist Sect, while acknowledging government assurances, has urged careful review of the legislation to ensure no clause unintentionally affects religious and cultural practices.

A broader debate and what lies ahead

The debate over the bill is forcing Sri Lanka to confront the realities of regulating an animal that occupies a place in both religious tradition and as a protected species. The bill has been hailed by animal welfare groups as a long-overdue step to replace outdated legislation and provide better legal protections for animals.

The bill is currently awaiting parliamentary approval, and the government has indicated that broad consultations with religious and animal rights groups are needed before finalising amendments. Whether this bill can successfully navigate the delicate balance between modernising animal protection laws and preserving centuries-old cultural heritage remains to be seen.