Vishwa's heart-wrenching story
By Yumiko Perera
A joint Cabinet paper presented to Cabinet recently by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs along with the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, with regard to the need of taking a policy decision on the transferring and ownership of tamed elephants, has detailed guidelines on the effective management of captive elephants of private owners. It also called to attention that the number of tamed elephants at present is insufficient for the use of religious processions and cultural events in the country.
The Maha Sangha, along with the representatives of the Tamed Elephant Owners’ Association, had articulated their concerns in this regard at a meeting held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 12 March.
While the Maha Sangha drew the President’s attention to issues that have emerged owing to the shortage of tamed elephants for cultural ceremonies, specifically peraheras, they further stressed the requirement of short-term and long-term plans to address the issue.
[caption id="attachment_126820" align="alignleft" width="519"]
Vishwa enjoying his new found freedom[/caption]
The Sri Lankan people have had a long association with elephants, and for centuries elephants in Sri Lanka have played a huge part in various significant cultural ceremonies, often associated with valour and strength by both Buddhists and Hindus alike, holding a significant symbolic, cultural, and economic importance throughout the history of our country.
However, not too long ago, Vishwa the elephant made headlines – as the most abused elephant in Sri Lanka.
Vishwa had been gifted to the Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayaka Thera, the late Chief Incumbent of the Ramanna Chapter in the Mirigama Sasanawardana Piriwena, by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Videos of a distressed Vishwa at the Esala Maha perahera made the rounds on social media back in 2020, infuriating environmental and animal rights activists in Sri Lanka and the world over.
Unfortunately, it was neither the beginning nor the end of his misery. Many videos surfaced of the animal being inhumanely flogged and beaten. Indicating signs of trauma, the helpless animal’s plight drew the attention of activists across the world, eventually painting Sri Lanka in a very negative light.
Vishwa had originally been gifted to the temple from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage back in 2011 as a five-year-old calf. Originally intended for the sole purpose of being used for religious processions, peraheras, and traditional cultural events, as per the agreement, it must be noted that Vishwa had been handed over to another party just days after, through a promissory note – a flagrant breach of the agreement that had originally been made.
As per the main clause stated in the agreement between the Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayaka Thera and the Department of Zoological Gardens, dated 13 December 2011, even if the elephant's guardianship was handed over to an outside party (Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayaka Thera), the ownership of the elephant would remain with the Department of Zoological Gardens.
The agreement clearly states that no other party apart from whom the elephant had been handed over to, should be granted guardianship of the elephant.
On 14 December 2011, just a day after Vishwa had been handed over to the Thera, Vishwa had been given to Guruge Nature Park (Pvt.) Ltd. through a promissory note, breaching the main clause in the agreement between the Thera and the Department of Zoological Gardens.
[caption id="attachment_126819" align="alignright" width="304"]
Vishwa being used for rides by the people[/caption]
Both agreements were seen by The Sunday Morning.
Elephants are expected to travel vast distances by foot for hours on end for successive days in order to participate in religious and cultural processions, and the exhaustion eventually gets the best of the animal. It is undeniable that elephants are an inextricable part of our culture, but we must also realise that there is an imminent threat to the health and wellbeing of these endangered gentle giants.
While President Rajapaksa had instructed the officials to discuss with private elephant owners to devise necessary conditions for the conservation and regulation of tamed elephants, it goes without saying that there are much greater issues at hand.
Nearly 70 days have elapsed since the farming community of Walsapugala, a village in the Hambantota District that has been gravely affected by the human-elephant conflict, commenced a satyagraha demanding authorities to gazette a proposed Wild Elephant Management Reserve (EMR), which is still in the works. Each year, the reports of crop damage and property damage, along with human and elephant deaths, continue to soar, and the numbers are staggering.
There has been one too many occasions where the wellbeing of tamed elephants under private ownership had been in question because of breaches in an agreement between private owners and the Department of Zoological Gardens, not only putting these gentle giants in jeopardy, but also making it evident that the safety and the wellbeing of these animals remain secondary.
The Department of National Zoological Gardens has had to repossess the ownership of a number of elephants that had been under the guardianship of private owners, on account of mistreatment and various other reasons, having been forced to resort to legal countermeasures against some private owners.
Speaking with The Sunday Morning, Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR) Chairman Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando stated: “The law of the country is that you can't capture any elephants in the wild. The Sri Lankan subspecies is unique to Sri Lanka and it is also considered endangered, which means that there is a tangible threat of the species becoming extinct. So, there is undoubtedly a need to safeguard these elephants in the wild.
“If you look at the past three to four years, more than 1,000 elephant deaths have been recorded across the country, owing to various reasons. On the other hand, people think that elephants need to be used for cultural and religious events and things like that. Since there is currently a captive population, I feel that the focus should be on breeding those animals more successfully.”
“Although I may or may not agree with that, it is important to point out that there are no recorded births under private ownership in Sri Lanka, but there are a large number of elephants under private ownership.” Dr. Prithviraj concluded.
Speaking with The Sunday Morning, Siam Sect Asgiriya Chapter Supreme Sangha Council Secretary Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera lamented on the shortage of elephants for the use of peraheras, and emphasised the need for a proper framework to be put in place. "We have to protect and preserve our culture," Dr. Dhammananda Thera added.
Meanwhile, State Minister of Wildlife Protection, Adoption of Safety Measures including the Construction of Electrical Fences and Trenches, and Reforestation and Forest Resource Development Wimalaweera Dissanayake, when questioned about the Cabinet paper on the guidelines on the effective management of elephants under private ownership, told The Sunday Morning that he had little information on it.
Vishwa’s plight managed to draw the world’s attention, and after the Department of Zoological Gardens intervened to take Vishwa under their care, Vishwa now lives in the Ridiyagama Safari Park amongst his own kind, free from chains after years of bondage and servitude. However, whether Vishwa and many others just like him will finally be able to enjoy the freedom of being able to live their lives away from chains and human exploitation remains to be seen.
The whole world is moving towards protecting forests, wildlife, and their natural habitat, and although this may come off as yet another classic case of misplaced priorities, it is ultimately at the hands of the Government to decide whether they would opt to uphold tradition at the stake of these gentle giants, or make certain policy decisions that would see to the welfare and wellbeing of these animals, instead of merely straddling the fence.
Vishwa enjoying his new found freedom[/caption]
The Sri Lankan people have had a long association with elephants, and for centuries elephants in Sri Lanka have played a huge part in various significant cultural ceremonies, often associated with valour and strength by both Buddhists and Hindus alike, holding a significant symbolic, cultural, and economic importance throughout the history of our country.
However, not too long ago, Vishwa the elephant made headlines – as the most abused elephant in Sri Lanka.
Vishwa had been gifted to the Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayaka Thera, the late Chief Incumbent of the Ramanna Chapter in the Mirigama Sasanawardana Piriwena, by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Videos of a distressed Vishwa at the Esala Maha perahera made the rounds on social media back in 2020, infuriating environmental and animal rights activists in Sri Lanka and the world over.
Unfortunately, it was neither the beginning nor the end of his misery. Many videos surfaced of the animal being inhumanely flogged and beaten. Indicating signs of trauma, the helpless animal’s plight drew the attention of activists across the world, eventually painting Sri Lanka in a very negative light.
Vishwa had originally been gifted to the temple from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage back in 2011 as a five-year-old calf. Originally intended for the sole purpose of being used for religious processions, peraheras, and traditional cultural events, as per the agreement, it must be noted that Vishwa had been handed over to another party just days after, through a promissory note – a flagrant breach of the agreement that had originally been made.
As per the main clause stated in the agreement between the Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayaka Thera and the Department of Zoological Gardens, dated 13 December 2011, even if the elephant's guardianship was handed over to an outside party (Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayaka Thera), the ownership of the elephant would remain with the Department of Zoological Gardens.
The agreement clearly states that no other party apart from whom the elephant had been handed over to, should be granted guardianship of the elephant.
On 14 December 2011, just a day after Vishwa had been handed over to the Thera, Vishwa had been given to Guruge Nature Park (Pvt.) Ltd. through a promissory note, breaching the main clause in the agreement between the Thera and the Department of Zoological Gardens.
[caption id="attachment_126819" align="alignright" width="304"] Vishwa being used for rides by the people[/caption]
Both agreements were seen by The Sunday Morning.
Elephants are expected to travel vast distances by foot for hours on end for successive days in order to participate in religious and cultural processions, and the exhaustion eventually gets the best of the animal. It is undeniable that elephants are an inextricable part of our culture, but we must also realise that there is an imminent threat to the health and wellbeing of these endangered gentle giants.
While President Rajapaksa had instructed the officials to discuss with private elephant owners to devise necessary conditions for the conservation and regulation of tamed elephants, it goes without saying that there are much greater issues at hand.
Nearly 70 days have elapsed since the farming community of Walsapugala, a village in the Hambantota District that has been gravely affected by the human-elephant conflict, commenced a satyagraha demanding authorities to gazette a proposed Wild Elephant Management Reserve (EMR), which is still in the works. Each year, the reports of crop damage and property damage, along with human and elephant deaths, continue to soar, and the numbers are staggering.
There has been one too many occasions where the wellbeing of tamed elephants under private ownership had been in question because of breaches in an agreement between private owners and the Department of Zoological Gardens, not only putting these gentle giants in jeopardy, but also making it evident that the safety and the wellbeing of these animals remain secondary.
The Department of National Zoological Gardens has had to repossess the ownership of a number of elephants that had been under the guardianship of private owners, on account of mistreatment and various other reasons, having been forced to resort to legal countermeasures against some private owners.
Speaking with The Sunday Morning, Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR) Chairman Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando stated: “The law of the country is that you can't capture any elephants in the wild. The Sri Lankan subspecies is unique to Sri Lanka and it is also considered endangered, which means that there is a tangible threat of the species becoming extinct. So, there is undoubtedly a need to safeguard these elephants in the wild.
“If you look at the past three to four years, more than 1,000 elephant deaths have been recorded across the country, owing to various reasons. On the other hand, people think that elephants need to be used for cultural and religious events and things like that. Since there is currently a captive population, I feel that the focus should be on breeding those animals more successfully.”
“Although I may or may not agree with that, it is important to point out that there are no recorded births under private ownership in Sri Lanka, but there are a large number of elephants under private ownership.” Dr. Prithviraj concluded.
Speaking with The Sunday Morning, Siam Sect Asgiriya Chapter Supreme Sangha Council Secretary Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera lamented on the shortage of elephants for the use of peraheras, and emphasised the need for a proper framework to be put in place. "We have to protect and preserve our culture," Dr. Dhammananda Thera added.
Meanwhile, State Minister of Wildlife Protection, Adoption of Safety Measures including the Construction of Electrical Fences and Trenches, and Reforestation and Forest Resource Development Wimalaweera Dissanayake, when questioned about the Cabinet paper on the guidelines on the effective management of elephants under private ownership, told The Sunday Morning that he had little information on it.
Vishwa’s plight managed to draw the world’s attention, and after the Department of Zoological Gardens intervened to take Vishwa under their care, Vishwa now lives in the Ridiyagama Safari Park amongst his own kind, free from chains after years of bondage and servitude. However, whether Vishwa and many others just like him will finally be able to enjoy the freedom of being able to live their lives away from chains and human exploitation remains to be seen.
The whole world is moving towards protecting forests, wildlife, and their natural habitat, and although this may come off as yet another classic case of misplaced priorities, it is ultimately at the hands of the Government to decide whether they would opt to uphold tradition at the stake of these gentle giants, or make certain policy decisions that would see to the welfare and wellbeing of these animals, instead of merely straddling the fence.