Dogs have their day and place – during perahera season

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 30, 2026

During the Perahera festival in Kandy, animal welfare groups and the municipal council temporarily relocated around 40 community dogs to a veterinary hospital to protect them from the crowded festivities. This recurring initiative helps ensure the safety and well-being of stray dogs during the event and allows them to return safely to their usual areas afterward.

During this year’s Perahera festival in Kandy, animal welfare groups and the Kandy Municipal Council collaborated to temporarily relocate community dogs from the festival areas to ensure their safety amid the crowds and activity. This initiative, a recurring practice during the annual event, involved removing approximately 40 stray dogs from the streets for a brief period.

Champa Fernando, an animal welfare advocate, assisted the municipal council in this process. She has been involved in relocating community dogs during the Perahera season since 2018. Under her guidance, the dogs were taken to Gatambe Veterinary Hospital, where they remained sheltered and cared for throughout the festival.

The temporary relocation aims to protect the animals from potential harm or distress during the busy celebrations. Following the conclusion of the Perahera, the dogs were released back to their usual environments, resuming their presence on the streets.

The coordinated effort reflects an ongoing commitment to balancing public festivities with animal welfare considerations, providing a safe space for community dogs away from the increased foot traffic and noise typical of the Perahera season.

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