Baby elephants at Maligawa in good health - Veterinary specialist

Indika POLKOTUWA and Sanjaya Asela MATHURATA

Refuting allegations about the two baby elephants Sindhu and Raju being harassed after being brought to the Sri Dalada Maligawa from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, senior lecturer of the Peradeniya University and veterinary specialist Dr. Asoka Dangolla yesterday assured that the two baby elephants were in good health. Certain media and environmental and animal rights organizations alleged that the two baby elephants were being harassed after being brought to the Sri Dalada Maligawa from the Pinnawala elephant orphanage. Dr. Dangolla inspected the two baby elephants at the Dalada Maligawa premises after visiting them along with the journalists, following a press conference held yesterday at the Dalada Maligawa on this issue. Sports and Common Recreations Minister Gamini Lokuge and Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara also participated along with journalists.

According to Minister Lokuge, the two baby elephants were selected from other baby elephants at the Pinnawala orphanage following a Cabinet memorandum to offer two suitable baby elephants to the Malwatta and Asgiriya Maha Viharayas.

Explaining the real situation of the broken tusk of the baby elephant Sindhu, Dr. Dangolla said the tusk had broken due to decaying of the tusk affected by a disease. Some media and animal rights organizations alleged that the baby elephant's tusk had been broken. However, Dr. Dangolla expressed hope that the tusk will grow as usual.

Minister Lokuge assured that the two baby elephants will not be taken back to the Pinnawala orphanage but will take steps to bring the mother elephants to the Dalada Maligawa on a temporary basis if recommended by veterinary doctors.

Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara said anyone can visit and see the way they are living at the Maligawa premises.