Decision on monkey exports to China will be halted - AG

26 June 2023 04:27 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that the decision to export 100,000 of Toque Macaque monkeys to China will be stopped.

Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe appearing for the Wildlife Department made this revelation when a writ petition filed challenging the proposed capture and exportation of Toque Macaque monkeys to China came before the Court of Appeal.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appearing for the animal rights organisations and animal rights activists told court that they were glad to hear this positive response from the authorities. “I am very happy to hear this, if not, these monkeys will end up in Chinese restaurants’, Jayawardena said.

Meanwhile, Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC moved authorities to communicate this decision in written format. The petition was accordingly fixed for July 7 by the Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and M.A.R. Marikkar.

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera had recently announced in public that the Government is considering a request by the Chinese Government to export 100,000 Toque Macaque Monkeys, which are endemic to Sri Lanka, to China ostensibly to be displayed in Chinese zoos.

Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, Rally for Animal Rights and Environment, Justice for Animals, Rescue Animals Sri Lanka, animal welfare advocate Otara Gunewardene, Ven. Matara Ananda Sagara Thera, Rukshan Amal Jayewardene, Sonali Fernando, Iromi Ahilya Salgado, Dumindra Rajith Ratnayaka, Sharadha Manorama de Saram, Stefanie Wege - Aluwihare, Pushpadeva Dharmawardena, Randika Prabodha Fernando, Christine Bianca Shivanthi Perera, Tara Dilkushi Wickramanayake, Bandula Pathmasiri Panapitiya, Rushika Nadiya de Lanerolle, Jayamaha Mudalige Don Irangani, Wijenayake Pathiranage Wipulasena, Thanthirige Pasidu Nirosh, Vimukthi Buddika, Hiruni Maleesha Gunawardene, Iraki Lankika Kodithuwakku, Shanthi Wickranayake, Chandani Perera, Shashi Udeni Perera, Umanga Hyacinth, Manoja Jayaswini Weerakkody and M.S. Chandrabose filed this petition challenging the Minister's decision to export 100,000 Toque Macaque monkeys to China, which are endemic in Sri Lanka. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Comments - 4

Love LK Monday, 26 June 2023 07:13 PM

Why ? Do you want some more time to destroy our agriculture..why do you do this now . Politics behind to please some people to win election?. Be wise and smart enough.

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Citizen k Monday, 26 June 2023 08:37 PM

I don't think you love lk.What about the poor animals living a miserable life.I know we are 11 th miserable country but does that mean we must spread the misery to the animals who are doing something that comes naturally to them.we invade their abode and what are they to do?

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RP Tuesday, 27 June 2023 02:26 AM

Finally! Thanks to all those good and compassionate people, the poor animals were spared from being eaten in the Chinese diners. Readers, please check out the Monkey Torture in BBC site's search, to find what the people are doing to these poor animals. Cheers!

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‘ The Lansi Burgher Gent ‘ Tuesday, 27 June 2023 07:27 PM

Well done. A good decision by all concerned. Respectable comments by those before me as well. If we don’t stop this lunacy, they might even try this stunt with our lovely innocent poor dogs too. As an avid dog lover, that won’t be tolerated. Nip this in the bud or else our greedy corrupt fellows might start to pull one off on our elephants, leopards, dogs and others. Uphold the tenants of Buddhism. How about instead, educating our fellows on our exploding human population with classes on birth control and strict family planning, possibly with incentives to one child or childless couples? Instead of jumping each other like rabbits and populating this island whilst encroaching on forest and wildlife habitat, putting pressure on the environment in terms of pollution, restoring our natural beauty instead of this eyesore of a concrete jungle we have turned into; that would be most prudent. Thinking caps on, now.

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