November 13, Colombo (LNW): The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has voiced alarm over a growing public health and safety issue linked to Sri Lanka’s increasing population of stray dogs. According to the organisation, dog bite incidents have reached worrying levels, with estimates suggesting that more than a quarter of a million people are affected each year.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kandy, AWC Executive Committee Member Champa Fernando stressed that the country urgently needs a structured, nationwide sterilisation initiative to bring the situation under control. She noted that the problem has been brewing for years due to inconsistent policies and fragmented local programmes.
Her colleague, Gihan Dinushka, added that Sri Lanka’s stray dog population is believed to range between two and three million, although no official census has ever been conducted. “Based on our calculations, there is roughly one dog for every eight people. This ratio helps us plan community-based sterilisation and vaccination drives,” he explained.
The coalition also warned that the proliferation of street dogs has created wider social and environmental consequences. In addition to the rise in dog bite cases, road accidents—particularly those involving motorcyclists and three-wheel drivers—have become more common. Concerns about the spread of rabies are also mounting, especially in rural areas where veterinary services are limited.
While some have proposed the establishment of large-scale shelters as a quick solution, the AWC cautioned that such facilities often prove unsustainable and fail to address the root causes of the problem. Instead, the group urged the government to adopt a coordinated, humane, and scientifically guided approach, combining sterilisation, vaccination, and community awareness campaigns.
The AWC reaffirmed its willingness to provide technical expertise and collaborate with local authorities, emphasising that the situation requires immediate and decisive action to protect both animal welfare and public safety.
