Animal Diseases

(1) There may be appointed for the purposes of this Act, a person to be or to act as the Director of Animal Production and Health (hereinafter referred to as ” the Director”) who shall be in charge of the general administration of this Act.

(2) The Director of Animal Production and Health shall be a veterinarian registered under the Veterinary Surgeons and Practitioners Act, No. 46 of 1956.

(3) There may also be appointed such number of Deputy Directors and Assistant. Directors of Animal Production and Health and such other officers as may be required for the purpose of assisting the aforesaid officer in carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

(4) Any power, duty or function of the Director under this Act may be exercised, performed or discharged by any Deputy Director or Assistant Director under the directions of the Director, or by such other officer who is authorized so to do by writing under the hand of the Director.

(1) Every person who brings any animal into Sri Lanka shall notify the Director of any diseased condition in the animal occurring within a period of sixty days from the date on which it is so brought.

(2) Every person other than a person referred to in subsection (1) having in his possession or under his control any diseased animal shall segregate such animal and shall forthwith give notice of the fact that the animal is diseased, to the nearest veterinary surgeon who shall communicate such fact forthwith to the Director.

(3) On receipt of notice under subsection (1) or subsection (2) the Director may issue special directions to any authorized officer to take such action as may be necessary to determine the nature of the disease the animal is suffering from, to contain it within the premises or the area in which the- disease has occurred and to prevent its spread.

(1) The Director may, if he deems it expedient to do so in addition to obtaining directions for the sealing of any infected premises, declare by Order published in the Gazette any area including the infected premises as an infected area provisionally for a period not, exceeding three months, by affixing a notice to that effect in a conspicuous place at the premises or in the area.

(2) Every such Order shall specify the species of infected animal, the nature of the specified disease, the premises and limits of the area in which such disease has occurred and the date from which such Order shall take effect.

(3) The Director by a subsequent Order published in. the Gazette, extend such period for a further period not exceeding six months.

(4) Where any premises has been sealed or an area has been declared an infected area, no animal or the carcase or any portion thereof, or any excrement, animal product, litter, grass, hay, straw or any other article shall be removed from such premises or area, without a permit signed by the veterinary surgeon until such premises or area has been declared free from infection by an Order made by the Director and published in the Gazette.

(1) It shall be lawful for the Director to proclaim by affixing notices in conspicuous places on any road or portion thereof, or in any other suitable manner as he may deem fit that any road or portion thereof is an infected area and that it shall be closed to animal traffic of such species of animal specified in the Order under section 5, for the period specified in such notice.

(2) Where a notice has been affixed under subsection (1), no person shall take any animal specified in such notice alone such road or portion thereof, during such specified period, whether for purposes of transport or otherwise.

(3) It shall be the responsibility of an authorized officer to cause barriers to be put up at such points as may be determined by the Director, on any road or portion thereof, for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

(1) Where an area has been declared an infected area by an Order under section 5, it shall be lawful for the Director to require by a notice in writing, the production by the owner, of every animal of the species specified in the Order and found in the area to which such Order relates, on a date and at a time and place specified in the notice, for the purpose of immunizing such animal against the specified disease set out in the Order.

(2) Where a notice under subsection (1) is issued, every owner of an animal of the species described in the notice shall comply with the requirements of such notice.

(1) If the Director is of opinion that the animal which may have been seized or detained under section 8 ought to be destroyed and disposed of, the Director or an authorized officer shall report the matter to the Magistrate and apply for a direction for the destruction of the animal and disposal of the carcase thereof and the destruction and disposal of any infected material and the Magistrate shall give such direction as he may think fit in the circumstances if he is of opinion that such destruction and disposal would be conducive to the prevention of the specified disease or the likelihood of its spread.

The report to the Magistrate shall give sufficient particulars of the subject matter in respect of which the direction is sought and shall also be supported by a certificate of a veterinary surgeon.

(2) It shall be the duty of the authorized officer to ensure that the destruction of the animal and disposal of the carcase thereof and the destruction and disposal of any infected material ordered under subsection (1) is carried out in the prescribed manner.

(1) The Director or an authorized officer shall report the seizure under section 10 to the Magistrate and apply for a direction for the destruction and disposal of the animal product so seized and the Magistrate shall give such direction as he may think fit in the circumstances, if he is of opinion that such destruction and disposal would be conducive to the prevention of the specified disease or the likelihood of its spread. The report to the Magistrate shall give sufficient particulars of the subject matter in respect of which the direction is sought.

(2) It shall be the duty of the authorized officer to ensure that the destruction or disposal of the animal product ordered to be destroyed under subsection (1) is carried out in the prescribed manner.

(1) All premises, including buildings, vehicles, equipment and machinery (incubator), where any specified disease has occurred shall be disinfected in the prescribed manner and under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon.

(2) It shall be the duty of the veterinary surgeon to ensure that the disinfection is carried out in the prescribed manner.

(1) An authorized officer may”

(2) Where any authorized officer acts under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) without prior notification to the Director or acts under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) he shall, without delay inform the Director of such action and state the reason for taking such action.

(3) No person shall obstruct an authorized officer acting in the exercise of his powers under this Act or regulations made thereunder.

(1) An authorised officer may”

for the purpose of testing it to detect the occurrence of any specified disease.

(2) Every annual which may react to a test carried out under subsection (1) shall, together with all infected materials, be destroyed and disposed of and the provisions of section 9 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply thereto.

(3) It shall be the duty of the authorized officer to ensure the destruction and disposal of such animal in the prescribed manner.

(4) Where a direction is given by the Magistrate for the destruction and disposal of any animal under subsection (2) of this section, he shall, if he considers it just and equitable in the circumstances of the case, make order that the Director shall make such payment as may be determined by him, to the party affected by the direction made by the Magistrate.

(1) It shall be lawful for the Director to prohibits

(2) Notification of a prohibition under subsection (1) shall be made to the public by publication in a Sinhala, Tamil and an English newspaper and by the exhibition of a notice in any conspicuous place in the infected area.

(1) No person shall use any premises as an Animal Clinic, Animal House or Hatchery unless application is made by him to the Director in writing in the prescribed manner, for the registration of such premises and approval obtained therefor.

(2) Every such application shall be accompanied by a certificate issued by the veterinary surgeon of the area within which such premises are situated, on a written application made by the owner or person in charge of such premises, and it shall be the duty of such veterinary surgeon to visit and inspect such premises before such certificate is issued.

(3) The certificate issued under subsection (2) shall contain a statement relating to the availability of”

in such premises to ensure the proper functioning and management of such premises.

(4) Upon receipt of an application under subsection (1), the Director shall register the premises if he is satisfied from the certificate issued by the veterinary surgeon that the particulars contained in the application are true and accurate.

(5) The registration so effected shall be valid for one year from the date of such registration and shall be renewable on application made in that behalf.

(6) It shall be lawful for the Director or any officer authorized by him to visit and inspect such premises whenever he deems it expedient to do so.

(1) No person shall manufacture any veterinary drug veterinary biological product in Sri Lanka except under of veterinary the authority of a licence issued in that behalf by the

(2) Every person desirous of obtaining such licence shall make an application to the Director in that behalf in the prescribed form which shall be accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed.

(3) Every application under subsection (2) shall be made separately in respect of each veterinary drug or veterinary biological product, as the case may be.

(4) Upon receipt of an the Director shall

(1) A licence issued under section 17 shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue unless earlier cancelled or suspended.

(2) The Director may cancel or suspend any licence issued by him if he is satisfied that the manufacturer has contravened any provision of the Act or regulation made thereunder.

(3) No order under subsection (2) shall be made against the licence except after notice issued to him to show cause within such period as may be specified in the notice as to why such order should not be made and except on his failure to show cause within such period or on his not showing sufficient cause.

(4) Any person aggrieved by the rejection of an application under subsection (4) of section 17 or the cancellation or suspension of a licence under subsection (2) may prefer an appeal in writing to the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister against such rejection, cancellation or suspension, as the case may be, within fourteen days after such decision is communicated to such person and the Secretary may, in dealing with an appeal preferred to him, affirm, vary or amend the order against which the appeal has been preferred.

(5) The decision of the Secretary upon such appeal shall be final and conclusive.

(a) a stud bull for the purpose of collecting, processing and using its semen. for breeding ; or

(b) a donor cow for the purpose of producing embryos for embryo transfer,

(1) No person shall import any animal, animal product, veterinary drug or veterinary biological product, animal semen or embryo except under the authority of a permit issued under this Act by the Controller of Imports and Exports on the recommendation of the Director.

(2) Where such import is recommended, the Director shall specify the port of entry.

(1) No recommendation shall be made by the Director issue of a permit to import any animal product unless the importer produces a certificate from the Chief Veterinary Officer or origin of the animal product, stating that such animal product is free from any infective substance that is likely to cause disease in animals.

(2) The certificate under subsection (1) shall be in the form set out in the Second Schedule hereto.

(3) Notice of the date of arrival of the animal product at the port of entry shall be intimated by the importer to the Director or an officer authorized by him seven days before the arrival of such product.

(1) The Minister may, in consultation with the Minister in charge of the subject of Ports and Shipping declare by an Order published in the Gazette any port or place in or outside Sri Lanka to be port or place infected with animal disease.

(2) No permit shall be issued to any person for the import of any animal or animal product from any port or place which has been declared under subsection (1). to be a port or place infected with disease.

(1) Every person importing an animal into Sri Lanka shall give prior notice to the Director or an officer authorized by the Director in that behalf, of the date and time of arrival of the vessel carrying such animal.

(2) The Director shall specify the period before which such notice shall be given in the recommendation for the issue of the permit.

(1) No permit shall be recommended by the Director for the import of an animal into Sri Lanka unless the importer produces to the Director a certificate obtained from the Chief Veterinary Surgeon or authorized veterinary surgeon of the country of origin of the animal setting out the following facts: ”

(2) The certificate under subsection (1) shall be in the form set out in the Third Schedule hereto.

(1) Every animal imported into Sri Lanka shall be subject to quarantine for a minimum period of thirty days unless the Director requires it to be produced from time to time at such place and by such persons as may be prescribed, if he thinks it desirable to do so.

(2) It shall be the duty of the importer”

(3) Every importer shall be required to pay a quarantine fee in such amount as may be prescribed.

(4) Where any animal subject to quarantine is found to be diseased, it shall be lawful for the Director to order the destruction of such animal and the disposal of the carcase thereof and the provisions of section 9 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to and in relation to the destruction and disposal of such animal and the carcase thereof.

(1) It shall be lawful for the Director, it he thinks it expedient to do so, to declare for the purpose of this Act, an area adjoining any quarantine station as a protective zone by notice published in the Gazette.

(2) Every such notice shall specify the limits of the protective zone and the date from which and the period for which such zone is established.

(3) The protective zone shall remain closed to all vehicular and animal traffic for the period specified in such notice. No unauthorized person shall be permitted to enter such protective zone during such period.

(1) The Director shall not recommend the issue of a permit to any person for the import of any veterinary drug or veterinary biological product unless such person produces to the Director a certificate from the Chief Veterinary Surgeon or a veterinary surgeon authorized by him in the country of origin of the product, certifying the safety of such drug or veterinary biological product.

(2) The certificate under subsection (1) shall be substantially in the form set out in the Second Schedule hereto.

(1) There shall be a Veterinary Drug Control Authority (hereinafter referred to as the ‘”Authority”) consisting of the following: ”

(2) The Registrar appointed under paragraph (b) or any member nominated under paragraph (c) of subsection (1) shall, unless he vacates office earlier by death, or resignation or removal by the Minister by Order published in the Gazette, hold office for a period of three years from the date of such appointment or nomination, as the case may be:

Provided that a member appointed or nominated in place of a member who dies, resigns or otherwise vacates office shall, unless he earlier vacates office, hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the member whom he succeeds.

(3) The Minister may, by Order published in the Gazette, . remove any member other than the Director from office without assigning any reason therefor.

(4) Any member other than the Director vacating office by the effluxion of time shall be eligible for reappointment.

(5) Any appointed member may, at any time resign his office by letter to that effect addressed to the Minister and such resignation shall take effect upon it being accepted by the Minister in writing.

(6) If any member is temporarily unable to discharge the duties of his office during any period due to ill health, absence from Sri Lanka or any other cause, another person may be nominated by the Minister to act in his place.

(7) The Minister may determine the remuneration of the members and the manner of such payment in consultation with the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.

(8) The powers, duties and functions of the Authority shall be to”

(1) The Director shall not recommend the issue of a permit to any person for the import of animal semen or embryo unless such person produces to the Director a certificate from the Chief Veterinary Surgeon or a veterinary surgeon authorized by him in the country of origin of the semen or embryo, certifying that the animal from which the semen or embryo was collected had been free from any disease or infection and had not been in contact with any infected or diseased animal within a period of three months before the date of” collection of the semen or embryo.

(2) The certificate referred to in subsection (1) shall be in the form set out in the Third Schedule hereto.

(3) The importer of animal semen or embryo shall inform the Director in writing of the date and the port or place of arrival of the semen or embryo at least seven days before its arrival.

(4) It shall be lawful for the Director to cause any imported animal semen or embryo to be withdrawn and destroyed if he has sufficient grounds to believe that the use of such semen or embryo would cause infection or disease and the provisions of section 9 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the destruction of such semen or embryo.

(5) The Director shall cause the herd of animals on which imported semen or embryo is to be used to be under the supervision and control of a veterinary surgeon. It shall be the duty of such veterinary surgeon to report to the Director of any incidence of disease in any animal of the herd on which the imported semen or embryo has been used, within one month of such use.

(6) Where an abortion or still birth occurs in a herd consequent to the use of imported animal semen or embryo it shall be the duty of the veterinary surgeon under whose supervision and control such herd is kept, to forthwith inform the Director or an authorized officer of such occurrence.

(1) No person shall export any animal, animal product, veterinary drug, veterinary biological product, semen or embryo except under the authority of a permit issued by the Controller of Imports and Exports on the recommendation of the Director.

(2) No recommendation shall be made by the Director for the issue of a permit to export any animal, animal product, veterinary drug, veterinary biological product, semen or embryo unless the exporter produces to the Director a certificate from an Authorized Officer, before exportation.

For the purpose of this section ” Authorized Officer ” means a veterinary surgeon authorized by the Director in that behalf.

(3) The certificate under subsection (2) shall be substantially in the form set out in the Second or Third Schedule hereto, as the case may be.

(4) Every exporter shall give at least one week’s notice: to the Director of any such exportation.

(1) Every person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Act or any regulation made thereunder or any requirement imposed under any such provision or resists or obstructs any officer in the exercise of powers conferred on him under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction after summary trial before a Magistrate be liable to imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding five thousand rupees or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) Where an offence has been committed by a body of persons then”

shall be guilty of that offence unless he proves that the offence was committed without his consent or concurrent* and that he exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

(1) The Minster may make regulations in respect of all matters which are required by this Act to be prescribed or in respect of which regulations are authorized to be made and in particular in respect of all or any of the following matters:”

(2) Every regulation made by the Minister shall be published in the Gazette and shall come into operation on the date of such publication or on such later date as may be specified in such regulation.

(3) Every regulation made by the Minister shall as soon as convenient after its publication in the Gazette, be brought before Parliament for approval. Every regulation which is not so approved shall be deemed to be rescinded as from the date of such disapproval but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

(4) Notification of the date on which any regulation shall be deemed to be so rescinded shall be published in the Gazette.

(5) The Minister may by Order published in the” Gazette, declare any animal disease not specified in the First Schedule hereto to be a specified disease for the purposes of this Act and the provisions of this Act shall, mutatis mutandis apply thereto.

(a) in the case of a sea port, the Parts Authority established under the Ports Authority Act No. 51 of 1979 : and

(b) in the case of an airport, an Agent appointed under the Air Navigation (Special Provisions) Act, No. 2 of 1982 and where no such Agent has been appointed, the Director General of Civil Aviation ;

(i) any substance or “mixture of substance manufactured, sold, offered for sale or represented for use in”

(ii) a single drug or a combination of drugs ready for use and placed on the market under a special name or in a characteristic form and includes both patent and proprietary preparations ;

(1) The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Ordinance (Chapter 470), is hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Contagious Disease (Animals) Ordinance, the regulations made under that Ordinance and in force immediately before the coming into operation of this Act shall, except where and so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act be deemed to be regulations made under this Act and continue in force until altered, amended, or rescinded by regulation* made under this Act.