By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

	Nearly three million stray dogs have become a public helath issue, says the Govt

Health Minister Maithreepala Sirisena has told Swarnavahini television that Sri Lanka would lift a moratorium on killing stray dogs, because of rabies concerns.

The government attempts to cut down on the 2,000 people that are hospitalised every day after being bitten, AFP news agency reported quoting the minister.

Dr Kala Shantha, a veterinary surgeon who has long been campaigning against the killing of stray dogs told BBC Sandeshaya that according to her information, it is the domesticated dogs that have bitten most of the people, not the stray dogs.

"I think what is needed is a proper research by a university or similar organisation on which areas rabies is mostly reported, where the dog attacks mostly happens, etc before taking any final decision," she said.

Indian experience

The government earlier suspended the culling of stray dogs after protests by animal welfare groups.

I think a vast amount of money can be saved if it is conducted by government vets   Dr Kala Shantha

"Clearly our new policy has failed," Minister Sirisena has said.

"As a government, we have decided to go back to the previous practice."

Dr Kala Shantha, however, says the even the dogs already sterilised and vaccinated may fall victim if the new policy is implemented.

But the health minister said stray dog populations had increased to three million in recent years becoming a major public health issue in Sri Lanka.

He also said that the government is spending SLR 1500 million (USD 13 million) annually for the vaccination and sterilisation programmes.

Campaigners, however, argue that the funds allocated for sterilisation and vaccinations is not properly utilised and corruption might have also played a part in the alleged failure.

"What my fellow veterinary surgeons in other regions say is that the programme is implemented through contracts to private individuals so I think a vast amount of money can be saved if it is conducted by government vets," says Dr Shantha.

She also urged the owners of domesticate dogs to be properly treated, including chaining them less frequently, to prevent them becoming aggressive.

"Take for example India, where there are many more stray dogs as well as poor people but they are successfully conducting vaccinations programme," she said.