The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, I table the answer.

¶ 02 Answer tabled:

¶ 03 (a) (i) In 2024, 39 cattle theft complaints were recorded at police stations in Vavuniya Division; 31 were solved and 30 prosecuted. (ii) In 2025, 30 cattle theft complaints were recorded; 19 were solved and 12 prosecuted. (iii) In 2024, 15 other livestock theft complaints were recorded; 10 were solved and all prosecuted. (iv) In 2025, 12 other livestock theft complaints were recorded; 9 were solved and all prosecuted. (v) Not applicable. (vi) Instructions have been issued to OICs and HQIs to promptly record and investigate complaints, apprehend suspects and recover stolen property; to identify hotspots and times and deploy night mobile, motorcycle and other patrols on feeder and main roads; to expedite unsolved cases and file cases without delay; to increase patrols and roadblocks in affected areas and promptly initiate investigations; and to prepare and implement crime prevention plans to minimize livestock thefts.

¶ 04 General measures include community awareness via Community Policing Committees to secure cattle at night with safe tethering, regular monitoring, and identifying animals with marks; close attention to every reported theft to arrest suspects and recover animals; prompt production before court for appropriate punishment; advising owners to tether cattle near residences or in clearly visible secure locations at night; deploying day/night patrols and vehicle duties to check legality of livestock transport.

¶ 05 (b) (i) To reduce impacts deterring agriculture and to increase interest in animal husbandry, the Provincial Department of Animal Production and Health plans development programmes including the Dairy Hub Project to achieve 75% self-sufficiency in milk by 2030 by establishing 300 Dairy Hubs nationwide based on veterinary ranges, including in the Northern Province; national milk development sub-programmes to upgrade farms to 20, 40 and 100 litres/day categories including youth and women entrepreneurs; Dairy Hub good management practices (24-hour water access, fodder conservation and silage, TMR feeding, proper heat management, twice-daily milking, vaccination for FMD, PPR, LSD, etc.); improving breeding efficiency via AI and sexed semen; targeted fodder development (high-quality roughages, fostering new feed producers, full mixed ration systems, concessional finance and equipment support, heifer calf rearing with concentrate feed); IRDCRP emergency component support (concentrate feed for selected animals for 3 months, pasture reseeding, training on fodder conservation, repair/rebuild cattle sheds, free vaccination, supply of milking machines, bushcutters, silage barrels, dip coolers, and PPP training for AI technicians).

¶ 06 Further, by the Northern Provincial Department of Agriculture: market information systems and correct data via the Cropix app; projects to minimize climate impacts such as CSIAP and CRIWMP; introducing resistant varieties against pests and diseases; elephant fences under provincial allocations; control measures against other wild animal crop damage (including distribution of air rifles). National-level programmes include supplementary food crop promotion, Sustainable Agriculture Programme with concessional agri-credit, youth entrepreneurship in agri and industry with concessional credit, and Food Security Programme projects with 50% beneficiary contribution at DS level.

¶ 07 (ii) These programmes are being implemented during 2026.

¶ 08 (c) Not applicable.