India, April 5 -- Sri Lankan activists marched in protest on Thursday over the mistreatment of stray dogs, ahead of the visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After submitting a petition to the India High Commission, around a dozen protesters from the Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) waved placards outside President Anura Dissanayake's office in Colombo.

The placards highlighted the growing concern over the round-up of dogs by the authorities to prepare for the high-profile visit. While one placard read "Stop the cruel removal of our community dogs", another placard questioned, "How can Sri Lanka promote tourism when we are a country known for animal cruelty?", news agency AFP reported.

Beginning Friday, authorities have r...