Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela said that false news have been circulated on social media by some stating that Tusker Thai Raja donated by Thailand to the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and presently housed at the Suduhumpola Temple has gone missing.
“The elephant who has been in musth
for the past two months is kept safely tied at Suduhumpola temple premises and an elephant in such a state cannot be transported in a vehicle or by foot must be clearly understood by animal welfare organisation activists who are very keen in spreading false rumours over social media,” he said.
“The Ambassador of Thailand who visited Kandy has clearly stated that the Government of Thailand has not made any decisions of retrieving the other elephants donated by them to Sri Lankan govt after taking tusker Muthu Raja back to Thailand recently and rumours spread on social media by certain animal rights organisation activists are completely false,” he said.
“While looking after tame tuskers and elephants, a few people may not be up to the mark but as a whole all Sri Lankan owners of tame elephants are taking care of them extremely well and NGOs who are spreading false news internationally that tame elephants are undergoing lots of harassments and abuse have caused deep disappointment among owners of Sri Lankan tame elephants,” he further said.
The Diyawadana Nilame said he is totally against spreading false rumours as a mudslinging campaign internationally by certain NGOs without knowing true facts and presently the number of tame Tuskers and elephants living in Sri Lanka are less than 100.