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Thai-Lanka rift over two elephants gifted to Dalada Maligawa and Kelaniya Viharaya
View(s):A controversy has arisen between Sri Lankan temples and Thai animal rights activists over the two Thai elephants gifted to Sri Lanka.
In Bangkok, animal rights activists have renewed their campaign to get back the two elephants. But the Dalada Mailigawa says the elephants are well cared for and are used only for Peraheras.
The Thai campaigners are focused on getting back the two elephants, Thai Raja, who is currently cared for by the Dalada Maligawa, and Kandula, who is cared for by the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.
A social media page has been opened under the name Reclaim Thai Elephants. The social media group wants the two tuskers gifted to Sri Lanka to be returned to Thailand so that they can retire. They say they will resort to international legal processes to achieve their goal.
The social media page claims that the two tuskers are heavily being used in Sri Lanka; therefore, the tuskers need to be brought back.
The campaign coincides with the visit of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to Sri Lanka. He will be a guest of honour at the 76th Independence Day celebration today.
Meanwhile, Dalada Maligwa’s elephant officer, Pradeep Niayanpalawa said there is no issue with the Thai Raja and he is being well taken care of.
He added that both Thai elephants were used only for peraheras. He explained that on two occasions, Thai veterinary teams arrived at the Dalada Maligawa with the veterinarians of the National Zoological Gardens to check the health of the elephant.
The Thai veterinarians, after obtaining permission from the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, obtained blood samples from Thai Raja and got them checked. Even the reports came without any issues, the officer said.
During the Thai Veterinary Team’s first visit, Thai Raja was in musth; therefore, the Thai doctors obtained blood samples and even engaged in a friendly discussion to exchange methods of caring for elephants in musth.
The Diywadana Nilame told the Sunday Times that Thai Raja was in good health and was being well cared for. Its musth period lasted around six months, and that was evidence that the animal was in good health.
He added that the tusker was more than 50 years old and was only used in perahera.
The Diyawadana Nilame said foreign personnel and local nongovernmental organisations were creating a false image of Sri Lanka by fabricating stories to fulfil their political objectives or gain money and other benefits.
“Thai Raja and other Maligawa elephants are well cared for. I can assure you that from 2005 after I became the Diyawadana Nilame.”
He explained that getting back the elephants that have been gifted is a diplomatic and political matter.
It is up to the relevant authorities. However, the question should be asked if someone is asking back a gift that was given, he said.
A Kelaniya temple spokesman said the chief incumbent of Kakeniya Raja Maha Vihara would comment later.
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