Animal rights groups expect Sabry to introduce new Bill

By Ifham Nizam

Animal rights groups yesterday said they were hopeful that newly appointed Justice Minister Ali Sabry would take steps to enact the Animal Welfare Bill without further delay.

Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) said that the matter had been dragging on for far too long.

The Attorney General’s Department is working on the Animal Welfare Bill, according to sources.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa recently made inquiries about proposal, which were to be submitted in July, but they got delayed due to the national health emergency.

Earlier, the Premier instructed relevant ministries, especially Wildlife and Natural Resources to consult the Animal Welfare Organisations and finalise the draft and present it to Parliament.

Animal rights activists said they were confident and hopeful that the PM would act on the matter in keeping with his no-kill policy.