Fine for cattle theft to be increased along with imprisonment

• Highest number of cattle thefts recorded from Gampaha District 

 By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

A high yielding dairy cow that produced as much as 26 liters of milk daily has been stolen and slaughtered in Anuradhpura, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said .    

The Minister of Agriculture mentioned that there is information that the Provincial Agriculture Department has even given awards to that cow for providing the highest amount of milk.   
The Ministry of Agriculture has received information that cattle are being stolen in air-conditioned vans and most of the cattle thefts are taking place in Gampaha District. 
Meanwhile the Agriculture Ministry has decided to increase the fine  imposed on cattle thefts to Rs. 100,000 and at least one year of  rigorous imprisonment for the offence.  
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera advised the Livestock  Development Division officials to amend the Animal Welfare Act by  including such clauses.  

He said the Ministry has reported that cattle thefts are  currently on the increase across the island and under the existing  Animal Welfare Act, the maximum fine for cattle theft was Rs 50,000, and  there was no mention of imprisonment for the offence.  

A discussion regarding the amendments to the Animal Welfare  Act was held yesterday at the Ministry with a group of animal welfare  association representatives, following a request by MP Udaya Gammanpila.  

The Minister mentioned that new amendments should be  included in the clauses related to the increase in dairy cattle theft  and the punishments for cattle thieves.  
Accordingly, the Minister also advised increasing the  current fine to Rs. 100,000 in the case of theft of a dairy cow and  introducing provisions to impose a one-year rigorous imprisonment.