Sri Lanka, Feb. 23 -- While writing to the Health Minister, the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) questioned why the rabies eradication programme is being placed under the Health Ministry when the government has experienced veterinary doctors in the Veterinary Department.

It is suspicious that, although the rabies eradication programme was handed over for six months in 2017, it was later taken over by the Health Ministry, seemingly benefiting certain officials, the AWC said.

Even though two million anti-rabies vaccines are required annually for herd immunity, only 1.15 million were provided in 2024.

In 2024, Rs. 200 million was approved for the sterilisation programme to control the dog population, but only Rs. 100 million was utilised....