Sri Lanka, Sept. 17 -- Animals suspected of having rabies can no longer be arbitrarily killed or shot by police merely on suspicion under Sri Lanka's newly introduced legislation on rabies control and dog registration, Veterinary Surgeon and Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) Executive Member Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara said.

Dr. Nanayakkara said the new Elimination of Rabies and Registration of Dogs Bill repeals the decades-old Rabies Ordinance (Chapter 476) and introduces a system based on veterinary examination, observation and scientific intervention. The Bill was gazetted on September 7, 2026.

He said the previous legislation had given police officers powers to destroy dogs that were sick or suspected of having rabies, while provisions al...