A group of over a dozen monkeys, including lactating mothers and their young, who had been cruelly trapped in a metal cage for more than a week near the UdaWattakele Sanctuary in Kandy, were rescued yesterday (9 October) following the intervention of the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) – Sri Lanka.
According to the AWC, the incident occurred near the Hela Bojun outlet on Dharmashoka Mawatha, where around 12 monkeys had been confined inside a cage placed at the edge of the forest reserve. The animals had reportedly been left without food or water, exposed to the sun and rain, and were found huddled together in distress.
The AWC condemned the act as “inhumane and unacceptable”, stating that while it acknowledges the challenges caused by monkeys to local communities, such cruelty cannot be justified as a solution.
Following reports received by the organisation, AWC Executive Committee member Champa Fernando immediately alerted Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and MP Jagath Manuwarna. However, none of the officials had been aware of the situation until the complaint was raised.
The Mayor later clarified that while there is a process in place for capturing monkeys to prevent crop damage, the animals are typically released into other forest areas on the same day — and not kept in cages for several days. The AWC suspects the act may have been carried out independently by an unauthorised group with ulterior motives.
Local animal lovers, including Ashok Randika, also condemned the cruelty and provided food and water to the trapped monkeys before the rescue. With the intervention of the AWC and concerned residents, the monkeys were ultimately released back into the UdaWattakele forest, their natural habitat.
Champa Fernando has called for an immediate investigation into the incident and requested that the metal cage be taken into custody by the Kandy Municipal Council.
“The way we treat helpless animals reflects our humanity,” AWC stated, urging the public to report such incidents promptly to the authorities or the organisation.
The AWC reaffirmed its strong opposition to all forms of animal cruelty and vowed to continue advocating for humane and ethical solutions to human–wildlife conflict.
