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Protest against gifting of elephants

by C. S. Adikariarachchi, Sabaragamuwa special corr.

Environmentalists and public in the area launched a massive protest against the gifting of elephants in Pinnawala elephant orphanage to various temples and devalayas on order by Minister Rukman Senanayake. Due to the people's protests the giving away of 'Kadira' a 30-year-old tusker to 'Pattini devalaya' in Hanguranketha was prevented. the total number of elephants gifted in past two years is eleven. This is not a protest against the use of elephants in cultural pageants but very much a protest against the indiscriminate release of elephants to religious institutions on the orders of politicians and government ministers.

Many of these religious institutions cannot afford the upkeep of the animals. The gifted animals most often thus end up as 'acquisitions' of private owners and made to work for them. The Pinnawala elephant orphanage was established in 1975 and is maintained by public funds, considered the world's best breeding centre, it has so far bred 22 elephants in captivity.

STONE 'N' STRING

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