Animal rights advocates are calling for immediate legal reforms after it was revealed that Sri Lanka still punishes most animal cruelty offences with a fine of just Rs. 100 a law dating back over a century.
The Animal Welfare Alliance has expressed deep concern over the outdated Animal Cruelty Ordinance of 1907, which remains the main legal instrument for addressing animal abuse in the country. According to Charuka Wickramasekera, a leading member of the alliance, the maximum penalty for most offences is either a Rs. 100 fine, three months’ imprisonment, or both. In cases involving particularly cruel killings, the sentence may extend up to six months in prison.
“These laws are archaic and grossly inadequate in today’s world,” Wickramasekera said, adding that police efforts to pursue justice are often undermined by these weak penalties. “We need strong, modern legislation to impose real consequences on perpetrators and to educate the public about animal welfare.”
He emphasized that while police do their best with what’s available, meaningful change is impossible without reform. “If the law cannot set an example, the cruelty will continue.”
Wickramasekera also pointed to the positive role of social media in raising awareness. “When people share videos exposing acts of cruelty, it not only helps identify offenders but also deters future abuse. It makes people think twice before harming an animal.”
He noted a shift in public behavior, saying that in the past, there were very few platforms to report cruelty. “Now, animal welfare organizations are receiving more complaints than ever, and that shows people care but we need the law to back them.”
The Animal Welfare Alliance is urging lawmakers to prioritize the long-delayed Animal Welfare Bill, which would introduce significantly harsher penalties and provide better mechanisms for enforcement and education.
Wickramasekera concluded by saying that a combination of public vigilance, social awareness, and legal reform is the only way to bring an end to animal cruelty in Sri Lanka.
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