A 26-year-old youth has been arrested by the Nuwara Eliya Police for allegedly attacking a pony used for tourist rides near the Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya.
Police have initiated an investigation following the circulation of a video on social media showing an individual inhumanely assaulting a pony used for tourist rides, which attract both local and foreign tourists, around Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya.
The suspect, a resident of Nuwara Eliya, is scheduled to be produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court on August 28.
Meanwhile, local and foreign tourists visiting the Gregory Lake have called on authorities to take measures to prevent animal cruelty involving animals used in the tourism industry.
Highlighting that activities such as pony rides, which are particularly popular among foreign tourists, form an integral part of Sri Lanka's tourist attractions, they point out that incidents of animal cruelty could also damage the country's tourism image.
Meanwhile, licensed pony riders operating around Gregory Lake have strongly condemned the incident.
They said they contribute to the tourism industry by providing pony ride services legally and stressed that it is unfair for the actions of one individual to tarnish the reputation of all pony riders.
They have urged authorities to enforce clear standards covering the health, feeding, rest periods and working conditions of animals used for licensed pony rides.
