A new Bill aimed at eradicating rabies in Sri Lanka while introducing stronger measures for dog registration, vaccination and population control was presented to Parliament today (24).

The Bill was presented by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Professor A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, with its second reading scheduled for tomorrow (25).

Under the proposed legislation, measures will be introduced to regulate the vaccination of dogs and control the dog population as part of efforts to completely eradicate rabies from the country.

The Bill also seeks to introduce stricter regulations governing the breeding of dogs for commercial purposes and establish a proper mechanism for the registration of dogs.

It further provides for the establishment of a National Advisory Committee on the Eradication of Rabies, along with regional advisory committees.

As part of the proposed changes, the existing Rabies Ordinance (Chapter 476) and Dog Registration Ordinance (Chapter 477) are to be repealed.

The proposed legislation also contains provisions covering matters connected with or incidental to the implementation of the new measures.

Parliament is scheduled to take up the Bill for its second reading on September 25. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to publish in the Government Gazette a draft bill combining the Rabies Ordinance (Authority No. 476) and the Dog Registration Ordinance (Authority No. 477), aimed at eradicating rabies and strengthening dog registration laws.

The new legislation seeks to control the dog population, make rabies vaccination for dogs mandatory, reinforce the legal framework for registration, clarify the powers and responsibilities of institutions tasked with these duties, and establish mechanisms for effective implementation.

Approval for drafting the bill was first granted at the Cabinet meeting held on September 22, 2025. The Legal Draftsman has since prepared the draft, which has received clearance from the Attorney General.

The Cabinet endorsed the proposal presented by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government to publish the draft bill in the Gazette and thereafter present it to Parliament for approval. (Newswire)

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