Sri Lanka, Sept. 13 -- The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has published a new bill in the gazette requiring all dogs to be registered annually with their respective local authorities.

The primary objectives of the legislation are to ensure widespread rabies vaccination, manage the stray dog population, and regulate commercial dog breeding.

Under the proposed framework, any owner or individual in custody of a dog older than six weeks must have the animal vaccinated against rabies and complete annual registration with the relevant local council.

Upon presenting a valid rabies vaccination certificate and paying the prescribed fee, owners will receive an official registration certificate for the...