Sri Lanka, April 21 -- The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has issued an appeal to Vietnamese monk Venerable Pannakara Thera urging immediate intervention to expedite the long-delayed Animal Welfare Act, describing it as a critical step toward protecting Sri Lanka's street animals.

In a letter dated April 20, 2026, the Forum said it was "deeply moved" by what it described as the Thero's compassion in rescuing a dog named "Aloka", providing shelter and restoring hope to the animal's life. The group said Aloka's story has resonated widely, both locally and internationally, becoming a symbol of compassion for animal welfare advocates.

However, the Forum contrasted this with the condition of thousands of street animals across the country, st...