Plus

Sagarika applauded by her two - legged and four-legged friends

By Amy Rose Thomas

The audience made up of humans and dogs watched with approval as US ambassador Patricia A. Butenis presented a donation of Rs.10,000 to Sagarika Rajakarunanayake, to honour her role in helping street dogs or in her words “community dogs” through Sathva Mithra, the organization she set up for this purpose.

Sagarika Rajakarunanayake

Four years ago, she was successful in encouraging the government to adopt a “no kill” directive for the street dogs. Her drive was to administer the anti rabies vaccines to them and sterilize them instead. Sagarika founded Sathva Mithra in 1993 in a bid to help animals in need and fight for their cause.

American Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Vijaya M.B. Ratnayake, said, “There are many organizations in Sri Lanka working to boost the conditions of animals in the country. While others work at housing these animals, Sagarika attempts to get these street dogs sterilized.

Sterilizing a dog costs about Rs 1,800 and that’s a lot of money. In order to accomplish this endeavour, she needs help.” For Sagarika, ‘community dogs’ are part of each person’s life.

“The dogs living on the streets are part of our lives. They are the community dogs and they survive because people feed them,” Sagarika explains.

She herself has rescued about eight dogs and a dozen cats from hideous conditions, and they have a home with her. Among them is Mac, a daschund, with a spinal injury which she nursed back to health.
Asked when the affinity towards helping needy animals began, she reminisces that since childhood, she had always been interested in helping animals. “I inherited this tendency from my mother. She used to bring in animals from the streets that needed help. I grew up experiencing this.”

US ambassador Patricia A. Butenis herself an animal lover selected Sagarika’s organization as the beneficiary for part proceeds of the money collected at the Ambassador’s ball which is provided to the organization of the Ambassador’s choice.

The canines present on the occasion belonged to Shevanthi Jayasuriya, who had come with the dogs she had rescued from the streets to support her friend.

“It is due to her single handed campaigning that the no kill policy was brought into place. As an animal lover I admire Sagarika’s work and her efforts to help animals,” Shevanthi said.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Plus Articles
Protecting others with their lives
It’s the hottest bar in Washington
One must not force anyone to practise Buddhism -- Letter to the editor
Monkey matter is local council’s job -- Letter to the editor
Paint speed signs on the road surface -- Letter to the editor
Kadirgamar statue: Now it’s upto G.L. -- Letter to the editor
Dad’s strength, courage and wisdom will continue to inspire us -- Appreciation
Papa and his eight brothers did St Benedict’s proud -- Appreciation
A fearless priest and good samaritan -- Appreciation
A privileged friend whose friendship was our greatest privilege -- Appreciation
You lived to care for others -- Appreciation
Mangroves manhandled
Disabled soldiers in come-back SLANA run
Gourmet gaiety at Theva Residency
The Palms: A place one would want to return to
Sagarika applauded by her two - legged and four-legged friends
Touch of Bollywood glitz for Lanka’s fashion label
Miss Sri Lanka hots up
Canvas of memories
Hymns and readings that filled the Trinity chapel with ethereal quality
Where inspiration failed and where it succeeded
My bad hair week! (From Chemotherapy)
Riding around the world
Shattering stones under the ‘scope’
Preserving the documentary heritage
Why we’re all Indian, not Sri Lankan, right now…
Many-sided enjoyment and new awareness
Kandy celebrates World Environment Day
A journey through the splendour of Opera
Kathak recital by local dancers
People and events

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2010 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution