By Maheesha Mudugamuwa Animal rights activists yesterday urged the Government to immediately enact the much delayed Animal Welfare Bill. Following the shocking incident reported last week, where a dog was set on fire in Negombo; a group of animal rights activists held a protest yesterday in front of the Temple Trees, calling on the Government to immediately enact the Animal Welfare Bill so that the welfare of animals could be assured. The animal right activists alleged that the Bill had received Cabinet approval in 2016, but has still not been presented to Parliament for approval. Senior Environmental Lawyer Jagath Gunawardene told The Sunday Morning that the Bill was imposed to ensure the welfare of animals, as the present laws were only for an act of cruelty against animals. According to him, the Animal Welfare Bill was prepared and presented to the government way back in 2006, and is yet to be presented to parliament. Even though several Ministers like Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Patali Champika Ranawaka tried to pass the bill in parliament, their efforts were futile as various arguments were put forth by different sections of the society. The Animal Welfare Bill was proposed in place of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance of 1907, which is widely believed to be insufficient when dealing with the types of cruelty animals face in this day and age. A Labrador named ‘Charlie’ had succumbed to severe burns after a certain individual had doused the dog and its kennel with a flammable liquid, suspected to be kerosene, and set fire to the animal on 31 December. The incident had sparked public outrage with animal lovers across the country demanding immediate action and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. The Police arrested one suspect in connection to the incident yesterday. Further investigations are carried out by the Negombo Headquarters IP and the Negombo Crimes Division. The Police also request the assistance of the public to uncover further any information on the incident.