Sri Lanka, July 23 -- Those convicted of animal cruelty could face fines of up to Rs. 250,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, under Sri Lanka's long-awaited Animal Welfare Bill, which has now been published in the Government Gazette.

The proposed legislation, which is expected to be presented to Parliament, seeks to replace the century-old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Chapter 475) with a tougher legal framework aimed at preventing cruelty and improving animal welfare across the country.

Under the Bill, it will be an offence to beat, kick, torture, overload, overbreed, abandon or poison animals, or intentionally deprive them of food, water or shelter. Keeping animals in cages or enclosures that do not provide ...