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Tuskers forcibly removed from an Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka

by Suranee | August 9, 2009 at 08:13 am

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Two baby tuskers were forcibly removed from it's orphanage and separated from their mothers by the Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela of Dalada Maligawa. Nilanga Dela is not only accused of ill-treating the two tuskers named Raju and Sindu, but also of other tuskers at the Dalada Maligawa.

Controversy regarding the two baby tuskers forcibly taken from the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela has taken a new turn, with environmentalists accusing him of ill-treating not only Raju and Sindu but also the tuskers at the Dalada Maligawa.

Lord Buddha's tooth relic is housed at the Dalada Maligawa which is a place where both the local community as well as foreign tourists visit. The present Diyawadana Nilame, Nilanga Dela is not only accused of hitting one of the baby tuskers but also using heated iron rods to burn the baby tuskers to get them to obey his orders.

The Mahanayakes who are responsible for protecting and preaching Buddhism are allegedly supporting Dela to inflict cruelty on Raju and Sindu. Photos of Dela hitting one of the baby tuskers with a long pole was released to the media recently. According to reliable sources Dela allegedly used heated iron rods to burn the baby tuskers to get them to obey his orders.

The baby tuskers are said to have been still suckling when they were separated from their mothers.

Environmentalists say that the elephants were taken from their mother while they were still suckling.

Jagath Gunawardena, an environmental lawyer said that both the baby tuskers and their mothers are suffering because of this ordeal.

"The mothers' udders have swollen because they're unable to give milk. It's not only the babies but even the mothers that are suffering," he said.

A spokeswoman for Sathwa Mithrayo argues that the government's constitutional requirement to safeguard and develop Buddhism in the island should not be at the expense of rare wild animals.

Sathwa Mithrayo spokeswoman Sagarika Karaunananayake argues that the government's constitutional requirement to safeguard and develop Buddhism in the island should not be at the expense of rare wild animals.

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Suranee

at 18:26 on August 9th, 2009

It's situated in the city of Kandy. It's really beautiful Sara Star and very peaceful place. If you ever come to Sri Lanka, the Sri Dalada Maligawa is a place you should visit. Here is more info about the temple:

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses a relic of Buddha, a tooth, which is venerated by Buddhists. The relic has played an important role in the local politics since ancient times; it's believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country, which caused the ancient kings to protect it with great effort. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings.

Thiru Alocious (not verified)

at 20:41 on August 9th, 2009

Regret to say this, but it is not so, Suranee.

Sara Star, if you visit Sri Lanka, please do visit the Sri Dalada Maligawa. But be prepared, it is now converted to a highly commercial outfit, again thanks to this Diyawadana Nilame, Nilanga Dela.

Dalada Maligawa has withstood many a weathers for over many centuries, so hope the damage this politically oriented, money minded hooligan does would not leave any lasting scars.