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Dalada Maligawa gets new Rs 140m Elephant shelter
View(s):The handing over last week of the new Eth Gala (Elephant shelter) for the Dalada Maligawa, took place amidst a distinguished gathering of both clergy and laymen. Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka who supervised the task, handed over the new Elephant shelter.
Sri Dalada Maligawa Media and Special Projects Director Krishantha Hissella told the Sunday Times of the history of the “Eth Gala” of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
“The need for an elephant shelter for the Sri Dalada Maligawa was long felt, to house our elephants and tuskers. We had 12 in our elephant herd (eth panthiya) from which Eka Danthaya passed away recently. Now, we have eight tuskers and three elephants,” Mr. Hissella elaborated.
Mr. Hissella explained that, on the advice of the Ven. Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara had initiated this project, which took one-and-a-half years to complete.
“The elephant shelter is our way of showing gratitude, love, kindness and compassion to the great beasts, without which this ancient pageant will not be a success. Foreign visitors to Kandy venerate the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and come to see the elephants which are a great attraction to the them,” he said. A proper shelter for these animals was a much-needed requirement. When we approached Minister Patali Champika Ranawake, he readily agreed to help us with this herculean task. Before the shelter was erected, the elephants rested under trees and it was only when they fell ill, that a temporary shed was erected to shield them from the elements,” Mr Hissella explained.
“The total cost of the project was Rs 140 million. I believe this shelter would last for the next 100 years, and would be of immense service to the elephants and tuskers of the Dalada Maligawa,” he concluded.
Elephants at the shelter. Pic by Himaddrini R. Abayanayake