• Shortage of tame elephants including tuskers, available ones are old; multi-stakeholder talks to be held 

The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs stated that it would prepare a programme to release elephants and tuskers for perahera (procession) purposes in a more accountable manner, instead of allocating them based on political affiliations as had been done in the past.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake said that a problematic situation has arisen due to the shortage of tame elephants and tuskers required for cultural processions. 

“Elephants form an important part of Buddhist religious and cultural processions. However, there is now a shortage of elephants and tuskers for that purpose, and even the ones available are old. Safeguarding this tradition requires a more formal system,” he said.

As a solution, he noted that discussions would be held with a wide range of stakeholders including zoologists, members of the clergy, and the relevant institutions before arriving at a decision. 

“A proper programme will be prepared so that elephants and tuskers can be released to temples with accountability and under a regulated system. We will not provide them on the basis of political favouritism as happened before. This will be done in a transparent manner. Our objective is to ensure that the culture is protected,” he added.

Elephants and tuskers are a long-standing feature of Buddhist processions in Sri Lanka, especially in grand processions such as the Kandy Esala Perahera and other annual temple festivals across the island. These animals, adorned with elaborate garments and lights, carry relics and symbolise majesty and reverence.