Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody stated that steps will be taken to issue a Gazette notification regarding the provision of captive elephants for the Kandy ‘Esala Perahera’ and other religious and cultural activities.

Speaking in Parliament today (21), he stated that the Government has not taken any decision to issue orders or impose any restrictions on the provision of elephants for cultural activities.

The Deputy Minister further stated that the Government continues to provide the necessary facilities for such cultural events. He added that steps are currently being taken, in consultation with an expert panel, to issue a Gazette notification on the matter, and that the draft notification is now in its final stages.

Elaborating further, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody stated, “It must be emphasized that the Government has taken no decision to issue any orders or impose any restrictions whatsoever on the provision of elephants for the Dalada Perahera or other religious activities. The Government continues to provide the necessary facilities for such events.”

“The Government has decided to issue a Gazette notification on this matter in consultation with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and an expert panel. The relevant team is currently drafting the notification, which is now in its final stages, specifically regarding the provision of captive elephants for Peraheras and other cultural activities,” he added.