Nadungamuwa Raja, the magnificent tusker which carried the Sacred Relic Casket at the Dala Perahera for 12 years died on the morning of Monday, March 8. He was 69 years old. The President has ordered Nadugamuwa Raja to be declared a National Treasure.
The tusker amazed and impressed everyone when it gently straightened the pavada which had gone awry with its foot before stepping on it with the Sacred Relic Casket.
Nadungamuwa Raja was the tallest tusker in Sri Lanka at 10.5 feet or 3.2 metres. The tusker belonged to a tribe of Asian elephants known as the Saddhantha Kulaya and had the seven features which characterised them.
He belonged to Ayurvedic physician
Dr. Dharmavijaya and his faithful mahout was Wilson,also known as Kalu Mama.
The Government provided the tusker with security whenever he travelled to take part in Peraharas.
Nadungamuwa Raja was loved by all
Sri Lankans and he will be sadly missed.