Sri Lanka continues to face a public health challenge, recording nearly 250,000 animal bites annually, with rabies claiming close to 20 human lives each year, according to Dr. Nuwan Wickramasinghe, President of the Association of Companion Animal Practitioners (ACAP) Sri Lanka.
Despite ongoing efforts by the Health Ministry, veterinary associations, and local authorities, rabies control measures have so far failed to achieve eradication.
The government spends over Rs. 30 million annually on treatment, but experts warn that a unified, multi-sectoral approach is essential to meet the goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.
Dr. Wickramasinghe stressed the importance of the ‘One Health’ framework, which integrates animal, human, and environmental health, calling for coordinated action across all local government authorities.
He also highlighted that past efforts have not fully engaged private veterinary practitioners and pledged that ACAP Sri Lanka would mobilise its members to support the national programme more actively.
The nationwide initiative, launched on 27 September in Maligawatta to coincide with World Rabies Day, is a collaborative effort involving ACAP Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, the Ministry of Health, the Colombo Municipal Council, the International Lions Club, and several animal welfare groups.
As part of the launch, more than 10,000 free rabies vaccines were distributed for dogs and other companion animals through private veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide.
The programme, which ran from 22 to 28 September, included mass dog vaccination drives, free sterilisation surgeries, and extensive awareness campaigns targeting schoolchildren and communities across the island.
Addressing the event, NPP MP Dr. Najith Indika reaffirmed the administration’s commitment, stating “the National People’s Power Government will ensure all line ministries work together to support this effort. We share the vision of transforming Sri Lanka into a rabies-free nation by 2030 and will extend every possible cooperation to realise this goal.”
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