Places of Buddhist worship face shortage of elephants: Former Nilame

There is an acute shortage of elephants and tuskers for the religious ceremonies including peraheras, Trustee of the Sri Pada and former Basnayake Nilame of the Ratnapura Saman Devala Sunil Shantha Weerasekara expressed concern.

He said the Perehera festivals could not be held on time for want of elephants and tuskers. He pointed out only the Esala festival in the Ruhunu Kataragma Maha Devals had been held on the due date while other main Perehera festivals were held up due to the non-availability of elephants and truckers.

“Kandy Esala Perehera is held in August after the Kataragama Esala Festival in July and the Saman Devala Perehera, which had been held in August in the past is now held after the Kandy Esala Perehera to share the elephants. Aluthnuwara

Kataragama Devala festival has to be held in October amid torrential monsoon rains. It is a matter of serious concern that the Esala festivals of the main places of Buddhist worship cannot be held on time. Restrictions on keeping elephants have been the reason for the shortage. Elephants from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage cannot be taken in Pereheras. They run hither and thither and disrupt the Perehera, as it happened once in Kahawatta. In the past plenty of elephants and tuskers were available in Balangoda, Pelmadulla, Ratnapura and Kegalle areas” he said.

He requested the government to intervene and resolve the issue that had seriously affected religious ceremonies in places of Buddhist worship and Pereheras that were cultural pageants.