Sri Lanka Dog Crackdown Ahead of Modi Visit

Animal welfare activists in Sri Lanka demonstrated Thursday, condemning a government initiative to round up stray dogs ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. Reports indicate authorities in Colombo and Anuradhapura deployed animal control personnel to capture dogs in the days leading up to Modi’s arrival, which begins Friday.

The practice has sparked outrage, with protesters arguing the move is unnecessarily cruel and damaging to Sri Lanka’s image. Many of the captured animals are well-cared for by local communities, often referred to as “community dogs” rather than simply “stray” dogs, and have been vaccinated and neutered through the efforts of animal welfare organizations.

Around a dozen members of the Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) gathered outside the President’s office in Colombo, submitting a petition to the Indian High Commission and displaying placards with messages like “Stop the cruel removal of our community dogs” and “How can Sri Lanka promote tourism when we are a country known for animal cruelty?”

Protesters are appealing to New Delhi to intervene, arguing the round-up will cause significant suffering and displacement to the animals. They believe the action reflects poorly on Sri Lanka and undermines its efforts to attract tourism.

Modi is scheduled to receive an official welcome at Independence Square in Colombo, an area where dog catchers have reportedly been active this week. He will also visit Anuradhapura, 200 kilometers north of the capital, to pay respects to a sacred fig tree.

While the visit centers on religious and diplomatic significance, the concurrent removal of these animals casts a shadow over the event. The situation highlights a troubling disconnect between showcasing national pride and demonstrating basic compassion for animals. It’s a regrettable tactic to prioritize aesthetics for a visiting dignitary at the expense of vulnerable creatures who contribute to the fabric of local communities. A more humane approach, focusing on responsible animal management rather than mass removal, would be a far more fitting reflection of Sri Lanka’s values.