A new project has been launched in the Western Province aimed at providing sustainable solutions to the issues faced by stray animals, including the establishment of special care centres and animal crematorium facilities.

The initiative is set to be a unique humanitarian project implemented through government intervention to support stray and vulnerable animals living on the streets.

Accordingly, a special awareness programme on the project was held today (15) at the Kesbewa Divisional Coordinating Committee under the patronage of the Western Province Local Government Commissioner, with the participation of officials and members of the public.

As part of the project, special animal care centres and Sri Lanka’s first animal crematorium project are set to be established.

Awareness activities related to the project are also expected to be carried out with the support of the Department of Government Information, following instructions from the Chairman of the Kesbewa Divisional Coordinating Committee.

The project was first announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sri Lanka’s 2026 Budget, which allocated Rs. 100 million for a pilot programme in Kesbewa and Piliyandala to introduce pet burial and cremation services, along with care facilities for stray animals. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Agriculture says the report of the islandwide animal census has helped identify the areas with the highest number of crop-destroying animals.

Addressing the media today, ministry officials said the report reveals there are 5.17 million Toque monkeys (Rilawa), 1.74 million Grey Langurs (Wandura),  2.66 million Giant Squirrels, and 4.74 million peacocks in Sri Lanka. 

According to the census, the highest number of Toque monkeys has been reported in the Kandy, Kegalle, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kurunegala Districts. 

The census reports that the highest number of Grey Langurs has been reported in districts such as Anuradhapura, Hambantota, and Polonnaruwa.

Giant Squirrels were largely found in the Kurunegala and Monaragala Districts, while peacocks have been mostly reported in the Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, and Monaragala Districts. 

The Agriculture Ministry officials further said that the crop-destroying animals were found in large numbers in the Kegalle, Galigamuwa, and Mawanella District Secretariat areas in the Kegalle District.

They further said that in the Kandy District, large numbers of these animals were recorded in the Pahathahewaheta, Medadumbara, and Hatharaliyedda District Secretariat areas.

The details were revealed after the Agriculture Ministry made public the islandwide animal census, which was conducted on 15 March this year. 

The public was given a five-minute window, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:05 a.m., to count these animals on their properties using a designated form.

The animal census was conducted to help authorities devise strategies to mitigate the impact on crops. (Newswire)

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