“This has nothing to do with the Dehiwela zoo,” MPNZ, Spokesman Shantha Jayaweera told The Sunday Leader.

He also said that a newly formed foundation which claims it is fighting for animal rights in Sri Lanka is spreading false allegations stating that animals in the Dehiwala Zoo are subject to cruelty. “They had obtained some 15,000 signatures from the public urging the government to close down the zoo,” he said.

Jayaweera said the Dehiwala Zoo generated revenue of between Rs. 200 and Rs. 250 million annually. “It is unfortunate that few individuals are attempting to close down this facility by spreading false information,” he said.

Several researchers and environmentalist are among those fighting to keep the zoo in Dehiwala.

(by Ifham Nizam – thesundayleader.lk)