The animal deaths reported in the Northern and Eastern Provinces are due to adverse weather conditions experienced in the provinces, a report by the Department of Animal Production and Health in Peradeniya has revealed.
The report states that nearly 1660 animals, including cows, buffalos, and goats had died in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Confirming that the deaths were not due to an illness, the report further said the deaths were due to the shock caused by the extreme cold weather.
The Northern and Eastern provinces recently experienced severe adverse weather conditions, resulting in a significant drop in temperature and extremely cold weather.
The Department of Animal Production and Health in Peradeniya report says the animals had died due to their bodies being unable to handle the cold temperature.
The report on the deaths of the animals was handed over to the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera today.
The minister had earlier ordered the Department of Animal Production and Health in Peradeniya to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the cause of death of the animals.
Following the deaths of these animals, all slaughterhouses and meat shops, except chicken shops, in the Eastern Province were instructed to be closed for one week until 18th December 2022.
The Department of Local Government of the Eastern Province had taken the measures after rumours were rife that people in the said province were attempting to sell the dead animals for human consumption. (NewsWire)
