World Animal Day celebrations A hearty ‘Thank You’ for animal welfare activists

A legend celebrated alongside many other animal welfare activists ensuring the wellbeing of furry friends 

At a time when Sri Lanka’s environment is receiving a step-motherly treatment, several events were organised in view of World Animal Day to address the importance of conserving the environment and welfare of animals. A group of animal welfare activists along with CEO and founder of Harpo’s Hotels, Cafes and Restaurants Harpo Gooneratne and team commemorated World Animal Day on October 4 by recognising and felicitating animal welfare activists from all corners of the island who have actively contributed to the wellbeing of four-legged beings. The event was graced by Otara Gunawardene and many other animal welfare activists and animal lovers.

One of the highlights of the event was a tribute paid to two legends of animal welfare, Sagarika Rajakarunanayake and Deepal Wijeweera who have immensely contributed towards the upliftment of animal welfare in Sri Lanka. Sharing her thoughts at the event, Sagarika recalled how she was able to achieve certain milestones in favour of the poor animals she was working for. “I’m glad to see that many animal welfare activists have gone far beyond what I did as a lone activist back in the day. But never avoid the public. If you have given your number always respond. It was worrying to see the plight of dogs back in the day due to the draconian Rabies Ordinance. But the WHO strategy to control rabies was different. It mentioned a method known as Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release. Sri Lanka had a large dog population and a high rate of rabies but the dogs were not stray but community dogs. They were dogs that everybody was happy to have and it was a good situation. But the only thing I heard was that these dogs would be captured and killed. It was terrible going to the dog pound and see what was happening and I informed Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the President at the time about this strategy. I suggested that they resort to scientific and humane methods and thereafter the No Kill Policy for dogs was introduced.”

A bouquet of flowers for Ms. Ranjani, a senior animal welfare activist who continues to look after stray animals in her area 

Appreciating the service extended by grassroot level animal welfare activists

It was worrying to see the plight of dogs back in the day due to the draconian Rabies Ordinance

She then started her own organisation Sathwa Mithra in 1993 and much work was done in collaboration with Lorraine Bibile, Dr. Nandana Atapattu and Vasanthi Nanayakkara. She has made several other interventions on behalf of animals which are too numerous to mention.

Deepal Wijeweera on the other hand has achieved fame for battling the cause of community dogs. A familiar sight on Colombo’s streets, Deepal continues his work and care for dogs despite ill health and personal difficulties. 

Young animal lovers recognised and appreciated 

Felicitating Sagarika Rajakarunananayake 

Many other animal welfare activists who work at the ground level to ensure the wellbeing of these four-legged beings were appreciated and felicitated at the event. They included everybody from people feeding animals in various areas of the island, vets and even young animal lovers who are following their parents’ footsteps. What was notable about them all was that despite many challenges they have continued to support the furry friends throughout the years. 

Pics by Kithsiri De Mel