President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed that his order to stop the killing of dogs for the control of dog population and rabies eradication should be continued further.

The Minister for Local Government and Provincial Councils was informed by the President shortly before Poson Full Moon last month that the "No-Kill" policy introduced by him to mark the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations last year should be continued, and that humane methods such a sterilization and immunization of dogs should be used more extensively for the eradication of rabies and dog population control.

The President gave this directive when he was apprised of the latest situation regarding the implementation of the "No Kill" policy by "Sathva Mithra" - Friends of Animals.

It has been brought to the notice of the President that after Cabinet approval was obtained for a new Rabies Act, arrangements were being made by some local authorities and public health institutions to resume the killing of dogs for rabies eradication and control of dog population.

President Rajapaksa has also informed the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils that no licence fees should be levied in the rural areas for the registration of dogs, and also that in no instance should
non-registered dogs be killed.

The 'No-Kill" policy on dogs was introduced by Presidential directive in May last year in keeping with the President's commitment to the eradication of
cruelty to animals, and following policy statement in the  Mahinda Chinthana - "I consider cruelty to animals a disgrace on humanity. I therefore propose to amend, without delay, the outdated laws on prevention of cruelty to animals".

Until the killing of dogs by local authorities was stopped by Presidential Directive last year, dogs were killed under the Rabies Ordinance introduced by British colonial rulers more than 100 years ago.

In keeping with the directive to continue with the "No Kill" Policy, the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils is expected to expand work on the sterilization and immunization of dogs. It will also obtain the participation of animal welfare organizations, religious organizations and the private sector in carrying out this work.