Foundation laid for elephant shelter

The foundation stone-laying ceremony of the proposed building complex to provide shelter to elephants of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala was held yesterday.

Addressing the ceremony, Basnayake Nilame Dilruwan Rajapakse said the project costing Rs.20 million would include bathing places in a natural surrounding for the elephants and living quarters for mahouts and their helpers.

He said the elephants would not be chained in the building complex and that facilities would be provided to clean them at regular intervals and to provide prompt treatment for any illness.

Chief Sanghanayake of the Ruhunu Magam Pattu and Chief Incumbent of the Kirivehera Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Kobawaka Dhaminda Thera and Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake of the Ruhunu Magam Pattu, Chief Incumbent of the Sri Abhinawarama Temple Ven. Kapugama Sarana Tissa Thera performed religious activities.

Maha Bethme Lekham of the Devala Dayananda Adhikari, Head Kapurala Lalith Ratnayake, Administrative Secretary to the Basnayake Nilame’s office Jayantha Wijesinghe and workers of the Devala were present at the occasion.