Shortage of elephant participation for Kandy Esala Perahera

18 May 2024 10:52 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, May 18 (Daily Mirror) - A situation has arisen where getting the participation of elephants at both peraheras has become a problem due to the holding of the Ratnapura Maha Saman Devalaya Perahera and the Kandy Esala Perahera on the same day, Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela said.

He told the Daily Mirror that at least 60 elephants will be able to participate in the Kandy Esala Perahera this year. During previous Kandy Esala Perahera seasons, 75 elephants participated, he said.

"There are a total of 96 tamed elephants available in the country, but only 80 elephants can be taken for peraheras this season due to their physical health conditions and other issues. At least 20 elephants will be sent for the Ratnapura Maha Saman Devalaya perahera, and the remaining elephants will be assigned to the Kandy Esala perahera," the Diyawadana Nilame said.

He said in 2000, a total of 225 tamed elephants were in the country, but now the count had decreased to 96.

Comments - 14

Duminda Saturday, 18 May 2024 01:23 PM

A priority must be given to Kandy peraheta.

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Silva Saturday, 18 May 2024 10:24 PM

Yes. It’s always held the record for animal cruelty. Let’s keep it that way.

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Jeanne Saturday, 18 May 2024 04:20 PM

@Duminda: You've got it all wrong. Priority SHOULD be given to the elephants. This is nothing short of animal cruelty. Think about all the unnatural circumstances this poor animal has to endure just for our pleasure. It MUST stop.

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Pathmaranjan Perera Saturday, 18 May 2024 11:06 PM

Strongly

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Charmaine Sunday, 19 May 2024 01:08 AM

Agreed - this is nothing but cruelty to the poor Elephants. Stop this nonsense

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Man Sunday, 19 May 2024 06:11 AM

What have you done to suffering elephants in the wild to make those have food and water during droughts and attend to their injuries caused by people ? What action have you taken in clearing jungles by politicians and their henchmen? Nothing. You are not a vegetarian, too. You just shed crocodile tears.

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Man Sunday, 19 May 2024 06:14 AM

Pinnawela elephants should be hired and breeding there must be continued. Marauding wild elephants should be captured and tamed rather than letting those to be killed as the number is 400, this year.

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Sambo Sunday, 19 May 2024 07:46 AM

They have all joined a new party.

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Rip Winkle Sunday, 19 May 2024 09:55 AM

There are 225 of them sitting in parliament doing nothing.

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Jeanne Sunday, 19 May 2024 11:32 AM

LMAO!

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Nimal1 Sunday, 19 May 2024 11:13 AM

The other reason for this is that after the elections the elephants will have to go into hiding.

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Ravana Sunday, 19 May 2024 11:20 AM

Let the followers do what the elephants did. It shows how much faith we have in our Lord and what sacrifices we are willing to do. In Indonesia, followers carry their idols. Italian followers carry their idols. Indian followers drag their chariots, except the Keralites. We should carry our Lords relics. Each year, a new group of people should be allowed, thus giving everyone a chance to show our love and faith.

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Chris Sunday, 19 May 2024 04:11 PM

Cruelty at its worst. It's time animal welfare groups took the matter to court to stop this barbarism. Why cannot the perahara go ahead without the elephants?

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lansur Monday, 20 May 2024 04:50 AM

Use of Elephants, well, any animal should be BANNED!

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