Fonds LK-NA/66 - Department of Animal Production and Health

The Department of Animal Production and Health was established in September, 1978 to handle livestock development activities under the Ministry of Rural Industrial Development. The main objectives of the Department were as follows:
(a) Veterinary Research and Investigations.
(b) Production of Animal Vaccines.
(c) Animal Breeding Services.
(d) Training and Education of Departmental Employees and Fanners in Animal Production and Health
(e) Livestock Development and
(f) Maintenance of Farms.
The History of Animal Husbandry dates back to the last century.In 1934 the First Livestock Breeding Centre was opened at Nikaweratiya. This was followed by the opening of three more centres at Veyandoga, Akkaraipattu and Murukan.
A Veterinary Laboratory was started in 1933. The increasing activities of the Department in the field of Animal Husbandry brought it more and more into contact with the Department of Agriculture and revived the suggestion which had been raised from time to time in the past, that the two Departments should be amalgamated. With the object of bringing the two Departments into closer contact and secure more effective co-operation between them, it was decided to shift the Headquarters of the Department from Colombo to Pcradcniya, so that both Departments would have their Headquarters at the same place. This was effected in April 1935.
A Veterinary Hospital was opened at Peradeniya with facilities for housing Cattle, Dogs and other small animals on 1st March, 1945. In April 1950 the Administrative Control of the major Livestock Farms was transferred to the Animal Husbandry Division.
In 1967 the Division of Animal Production and Health in the Department of Agriculture was divided into three Sections, One dealing with Animal Production, the Second with Investigation, Research and Vaccine Production and the Third with Animal Disease Control.
In 1979 a Training Centre was established at Wclisara.
In 1980 the Sri Lanka School of Animal Husbandry was set up to train youth for a two year Diploma in Animal Husbandry.