October 10, 2025

Sri Lanka's Department of Animal Production and Health has released an extraordinary gazette notification detailing measures to curb the spread of African swine fever (ASF), a senior health official told local media on October 8.

Hemali Abeyrathna Kothalawala, director general of the Department of Animal Production and Health, said all districts in Sri Lanka have been declared ASF risk areas and pigs designated as disease risk animals.

She said the gazette notification would take effect on Oct. 3, 2025, and remain valid for a period not exceeding three months from the date of implementation, unless revoked earlier or extended.

Under the guidelines, several activities are regulated. Among them are slaughtering pigs for meat without a transport permit; the sale, display, storage, supply, distribution, or further processing of pigs, pork, pork products, or infected materials without a permit; and slaughtering, storing, or processing in any slaughterhouse, storage facility, or meat processing center that is not approved by an authorized officer.

Sri Lanka was hit by deadly African swine fever for the first time in 2024.

- Xinhua News