Millangoda Rajah preserved in museum

We had 10 ... but now we have only four. I allow these elephants to be used in religious activities

The body of Millangoda Rajah, acclaimed as the elephant which had the longest tusks in South Asia, and which carried the sacred relics of the Kandy Dalada Maligawa for more than 40 years had been stuffed for preservation. It was declared open for exhibition by President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday, August 2 in Molagoda, Kegalle.

Captured in Anamaduwa under license in 1945 the elephant had been brought to Kegalle Molagoda area by Kegalle Senanayake Ralalage Appuhamy Millangoda, and was named Millangoda Rajah.

When it had grown up it had been carrying the casket of sacred relics in the Kandy Perahera from 1965 to 2005. Thereafter it had been weak and sick, and attempts to cure it and other forms of caring under the auspices of the President failed and Millangoda Rajah died on August 03, last year. The owner claimed that it had cost Rs 2.2 million for the preservation of the elephant. Speaking to the media the owner said that he had been capturing elephant calves from the year 1938 to 1952 from Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Hambantota, Puttalam and Nawagaththegama areas and selling them at prices ranging from Rs. 1500 to 3000.

“We had 10 elephants with our family but now have only four. I allow these elephants to be used in various religious activities in the Island free of charge, and this preserved form of the deceased Millangoda Rajah is a great tribute, and visitors both local and foreign would greatly appreciate it and remember the tusker parading the streets of Kandy majestically carrying the revered casket of sacred relics.”