A very practical programme has been planned and is being implemented at present to eradicate rabies from the country by 2016 with the initiative of the Ministry of Health.

Anti Rabies vaccinations to dogs, awareness programmes for dog owners, sterilization programmes for owned and stray dogs; seminars, street plays, posters and banners to create awareness on rabies to the public, are ways in which Rabies eradication unit of the Ministry of Health are implementing this programme.

In order to minimize the dog population over 350,000 dogs were successfully sterilized through the National dog sterilization programme in 2008 and 2009.

This programme has begun for the year 2010 in the Wayamba, Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka. Even though three months have lapsed since the beginning of the year only preliminary steps have bee taken in the rest of the provinces to call for tenders. At a time when it is necessary to work towards achieving this national goal, with funds allocated for this purpose, it is our fervent hope that the Ministry will pay attention to this delay.