Baby elephants handed over to Prelates

President wants baby tuskers to have mothers' care :

President Mahinda Rajapaksa hands over the guardianship of baby elephants Raju and Sindhu to Malwatte Mahanayaka Thera and Asgiriya Mahanayaka Thera at the Malwatte and Asgiriya Viharayas yesterday. Ministers Gamini Lokuge, Keheliya Rambukwella and S.M. Chandrasena, Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka and Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara were also present. Pictures by Sudath Silva

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday donated the two baby tuskers Raju and Sindhu, the subjects of a huge controversy, to the Venerable Mahanayakes of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. The scroll gifting Sindhu was presented to the Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera of the Malwatte Chapter while the scroll gifting Raju was handed over to the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter.

Accepting the two baby elephants to the Maligawa fold, the Mahanayakes expressed regret at the huge rumpus created by certain sections over the two baby elephants while maintaining a deafening silence when mothers dump their infants into wells and little puppies are left to die on the roads.

The Mahanayakes said the baby elephants could not be in more hands than in the custody of the Maligawa adding that they would only be deployed for the Perahera.

The President, meanwhile, instructed Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge and Ministry officials to make suitable arrangements for the two baby elephants to be brought up under their mothers' care. Also present were Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Additional Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation S. Liyanagama and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara.