Ceremony also in Pinnawala

Disna Mudalige

A New Year traditional oil anointing ceremony is organized at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on April 16 at the auspicious time of 7.41 am, National Zoological Gardens Department Director General Bashwara Senanka Gunaratne told the Daily News yesterday.

The event will be graced by Sabaragamuwa Province Chief Minister Mahipala Herath, Kanaka Herath MP and other guests. Oil will be anointed on the heads of all elephants in the orphanage on this day.

This event is organized every year to mark New Year celebrations. Parallel to this occasion, an oil anointing ceremony will also be held at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens with the initiative of the staff. Oil will be anointed on selected animals including elephants and several docile animals, he said. Facilities will be provided for the public to participate in this occasion. The zoo will be open to the public from 7 am, he said.