Subsequent to a writ petition filed by environmental organizations seeking an injunction order to prevent the implementation of the decision to send 100,000 Toque Macaque to China, the Court of Appeal yesterday (11) issued notices on the respondents including the members of the Cabinet and the Director General of Wildlife to appear in court on May 19.

After considering a petition submitted by 27 petitioners including the Sri Lanka Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, Matara Ananda Sagara Thera, Otara Gunawardena and Rukshan Jayawardena, Court of Appeal President Justice Nishshanka Bandula Karunaratne issued this notice.

President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, who appeared for the petitioners, informed the court that information has been revealed that the respondents have decided to send 100,000 Toque Macaques to a Chinese firm for animal testing.Therefore, the counsel pointed out that there is a risk of exporting Sri Lankan Toque Macaques to China at any time.He said that this decision is illegal.The President’s Counsel pointed out that this move causes severe prejudice to the ecosystem in Sri Lanka and that it could even harm the animals. He said that this move is against the provisions of the Animal Cruelty Act as well as the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance

Therefore, the President’s Counsel requested the Court of Appeal to immediately issue orders preventing the implementation of the Cabinet decision.

The petitioners also requested the court to issue an order to the Director General of Wildlife to prevent the issuance of licenses for the export of wild animals.