Sri Lankan animal rights activists marched on Thursday to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modis visit, which begins on Friday.Many of Colombos strays are beloved by their adopted neighbourhoods despite lacking formal owners -- and are dubbed community canines rather than street dogs.Around a dozen protesters from the Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) waved placards outside President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes office in Colombo after submitting a petition to Indias high commission.Stop the cruel removal of our community dogs, one placard read.Protesters said that many of the dogs in public parks had been vaccinated and neutered and were cared for by locals and animal welfare groups.How can Sri Lanka promote tourism when we are a country known for animal cruelty? another placard read.Protesters urged New Delhis intervention to prevent the cruel and unnecessary removal of these dogs, saying that the round-up of dogs would create displacement, suffering, and potential harm.Modi is set to receive an official welcome at Colombos Independence Square, where dog catchers are reported to have been busy in this week.He is also set to visit Anuradhapura to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, a sacred bo tree grown from a cutting brought from the holy Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India.Source: AFP--Agencies