APD | Concerns raised in Sri Lanka after elephant attacks devotees

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Sept. 11 (APD) – Concerns have been raised in Sri Lanka over the use of elephants at religious pageants after an elephant attacked devotees over the weekend.

The elephant went on the rampage at the Kotte Rajamaha vihara temple pageant on Saturday night injuring 17 people.

The elephant ran amok in the annual pageant resulting in another elephant also going on a rampage.

The Police said that among those injured were 12 women.

The injured were admitted to local hospitals.

Animal rights activists called on the authorities to ban the use of elephants at such events.

“Wild animals who are taken away from their homes and families, whose spirits are broken and who then fear the pain of the bull hook to make them obey human orders, who fear fire and noise, who are made to walk and live a life in chains for what is meant to be a “blessing” for them,” well known Sri Lankan animal rights activist Otara Gunewardene said.

It is another elephant-related controversy for Sri Lanka after photos emerged last month showing a starving 70-year-old female forced to don a colourful costume hiding her emaciated body.

According to the Save Elephant Foundation, Tikiri was one of 60 elephants forced to work for 10 nights in a row at the Esala Perahera Buddhist festival in Kandy.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)