Wild bulls in Atalawatte

Public life has been shaken by a ferocious herd of feral cattle in the Atalawatte area of Kegalle District, it is learnt.

Around 20 years ago, a few head of cattle had returned to the wild after being abandoned by their owners. Today the number has increased to a herd of about 70. The animals try to butt people when they see them.

The matter was discussed at the Kegalle district coordinating committee last Friday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Telecommunications Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath.

Mr. Siyambalapitiya brought this matter to the notice of those who attended the meeting. He reportedly said that people in villages such as Pahala Kanugalla and Matota had been unable to go out to work because the cattle try to attack them. As a result people are unable to tap rubber trees - the means of livelihood of most of

them.

The matter was discussed at the Kegalle district coordinating committee last Friday

Deputy Minister of Livestock Development H.R. Mithrapala told the meeting that a similar problem had existed earlier in a village called Behenella in the same district. On that occasion the cattle had been anaesthetised and captured and sold. He said that a cow or bull would fetch a handsome price now, and that all the animals should be captured.

The Chief Minister instructed the district livestock authorities to look into this matter, and take

appropriate action.