This had come to light during a discussion with regard to the difficulties that have arisen due to the shortage of tamed elephants for the Peraheras, chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (12). Maha Sangha and the representatives of the Tamed Elephant Owners’ Association were present at the discussion. By the 1980s, the number of tamed elephants in Sri Lanka was between 300 and 350. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated that he strongly believes that the country needs a herd of tamed elephants as it is part of our culture of Perahera tradition. The President also instructed the officials to hold discussions with the owners of the tamed elephants in formulating conditions for the regulation and conservation of tamed elephants.

Source: The Nation March 12, 2021 14:15 UTC