Veterinary Regulatory Affairs

Veterinary Regulatory Affairs (VRA) Division entrusted with responsibility to ensure smooth implementation of the legislations namely Animal Diseases Act no.59 of 1992, Animals Act no. 29 of 1958, Animal Feed Act no.56 of 1986 and Veterinary Surgeons and Practitioners Act no. 46 of 1956. One of the main function is to facilitate international trade of Animals and the products of animal origin while minimizing the associated risks of introducing disease causative agents of animals and public health importance. Implementation of National Animal Identification system island wide, to trace back the origin of cattle & buffaloes also one function of VRA. 

Animal Quarantine offices attached to VRA division have been established for strict vigilance covering all of sea and air ports of the country and all imports and exports are subjected to animal Quarantine inspections and conduct disease surveillance during the quarantine period by the Animal Quarantine Officers.

Regular bio-security and disease monitoring of export establishments, sampling and testing of products quality carried out through accredited laboratories and conduct surveillance audits in collaboration with Sri Lanka Standard Institution by Animal Quarantine Officers for export facilitation.

The power vested to the Director General under the provisions of Animal Disease Act for providing of International Veterinary Health Certificate attestation for export of Animals and the animal products is devolved to animal quarantine officers.

Main Functions

1. Recommendations to the Import/Export Controller and Sri Lanka Customs on importation of poultry, pet birds, poultry products and by-products
2. Registration / Renewal of Registration of Poultry Breeder Farms (Grandparent and Parent )
3. Registration/Renewal of Registration of Poultry Processing Centers and Poultry Value Added Products Processing Centres
4. Registration/Renewal of Registration of Export Establishments (Breeder Farms and Hatcheries of Pet Birds / Aquatic Animals / Animal Products )
5. Recommendation to import of machinery related to the livestock sector
6. Issuance of letters of pre-clearance approval for importation of pet /food fish/Shrimp
7. Issuance of pre-clearance approval letters for importation of dogs and cats.
8. Issuance of Pre-clearance approval letters for the import of fish bait
9. Issuance of pre-clearance approval letters for import of animal products and animal by products (Excluding poultry)
10. Issuance of Approval for importation of animals - Domestic animals and wild animals(excluding poultry).
11. Issuance of approval for the import of semen and animal embryos
12. Implementation of Animal Identification program
13. Issuing recommendations to release BSE-type products
14. Quarantine of imported animals
15. Sample Collection for testing during quarantine
16. Issuance of international health certificates for the export of live animals, animal products and animal by-products.
17. Facilitate linked with other government and non-government organizations
18. Import Clearance of Live Animals and Animal Products/Animal byproducts