The Sri Lankan government plans to set up and maintain a pool of 35 elephants to be used for religious and cultural activities such as peraheras (processions).
As the Perahera culture of Sri Lanka has a great history and attracted the world's attention, it has been observed that it is essential to use elephants in the peraheras to maintain its pride and devoutness. When several cultural activities are held together with the Dalada Perahera, number of elephants is insufficient.
Male and female elephants including tuskers will be obtained from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and from Udawalawa Eth Athuru Sevana (elephant rehabilitation center) to set up the pool and the elephants will be trained for the cultural activities. The pool of elephants will be maintained by the Zoological Department.
The proposal made by Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife to set up the elephant pool was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
