Sri Lanka’s long-awaited Animal Welfare Bill has been published in the Government Gazette — dated July 17, 2026 — providing for fines of up to Rs. 250,000 and/or up to two years’ imprisonment for acts of animal cruelty, Daily Mirror and Ada Derana reported.

The gazetting marks a significant step for legislation that animal-rights advocates have sought for decades. It comes just a day after the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population publicly urged authorities not to delay the enactment of the law any further, warning that continued delay would prolong the suffering of animals.

The new framework is intended to modernise Sri Lanka’s animal-protection regime, which has long relied on outdated provisions that critics say carry only nominal penalties. By setting substantial financial and custodial penalties, the bill aims to create a stronger deterrent against cruelty and neglect.

The veterinarians’ association had argued that repeated postponements left animals without meaningful legal protection and undermined efforts to promote humane treatment. Its appeal was the latest in a series of calls from professional bodies and welfare groups for the measure to be finalised.

With the bill now gazetted, it is expected to be presented to Parliament for debate and passage. Animal-welfare organisations are likely to press for swift adoption to ensure the framework is brought into force without further delay.

Update (August 4): UNP says bill threatens the Dalada Perahera

United National Party Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said on Tuesday that the proposed Animal Welfare Bill could damage a Buddhist-based culture that has survived more than 2,500 years, in the first significant political opposition to the measure since it was gazetted.

Speaking at a media briefing, Abeywardena said the bill could prevent the use of elephants in the historic Dalada Perahera. “The Bill prevents carrying heavy loads on elephants. One could interpret that the new legislation could prevent carrying the casket of relics on top of the elephant. The transport of animals has also been restricted,” he said.

He said the legislation also restricts the use of collars and chains on domestic animals such as dogs, and alleged that the measure “can be part of the government’s move to make Sri Lanka a secular state.”

The government has not responded publicly to the claims. The perahera tradition, in which a tusker carries the casket of the sacred tooth relic, is central to the Esala festival in Kandy.

Update (August 5): welfare coalition rejects the elephant claims

The Animal Welfare Coalition said on Wednesday that claims the proposed law would bar elephants from cultural processions, or ban the chaining of elephants outright, are false.

The coalition said the bill does not prohibit the restraint of elephants but seeks to prevent cruel practices — including harmful chains or methods that cause injury, excessive suffering, or that restrict an animal’s movement inhumanely. Elephants are wild animals and public safety must be considered when they are used at public events, it said, with any restraint applied under veterinary supervision or by authorised officials.

The AWC alleged that groups involved in illegal activities — including elephant trafficking, cattle theft, illegal meat trading and unauthorised dog breeding — are working to oppose the legislation, and are linking it to religion and culture to create confusion and prevent its passage.

The coalition noted that the bill is not yet law. It has received Cabinet approval, been gazetted and been presented to Parliament, but must still be debated and passed before taking effect.

Update (August 5): UNP repeats the perahera objection

The United National Party said the same day that the proposed bill undermines the perahera tradition, while denying that it opposes animal welfare reform as such.

In a statement, the party said the draft fails to include provisions found in Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 of the European Union Council on reducing the suffering and pain of animals during slaughter. It called the draft “an incomplete bill,” alleged that its primary objective was to undermine the perahera, and claimed the measure forms part of what it called the government’s “de-Buddhism programme.”

The UNP rejected suggestions that it is against progressive animal welfare reform, saying it supports measures that promote animal wellbeing while safeguarding cultural and religious traditions.

Sources: Daily Mirror, Daily Mirror, Ada Derana, Daily Mirror, Daily Mirror.