Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Environment has announced that a Gazette notification regulating the provision of elephants for peraheras and other religious events will be issued shortly, following consultations with relevant ministries and experts.
Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody informed Parliament on August 21 that a Gazette notification governing the allocation of tamed elephants for peraheras is nearing completion. The move comes as part of efforts to formalize arrangements for elephant use in religious and cultural processions across the country, including the prominent Kandy Esala Perahera.
The announcement was made in response to concerns raised by opposition MP Chamindrani Kiriella regarding the age of elephants currently used in such events, with the majority reportedly between 65 and 70 years old. Jayakody emphasized that the government has not decided to restrict or halt elephant provision for cultural activities, stating that the administration remains committed to supporting these traditional events.
According to Jayakody, the new Gazette has been developed following court rulings that required modifications to previous regulations. The government consulted with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and subject matter experts during the drafting process. The Deputy Minister noted that the draft notification is in its final stages and specifically addresses provisions for captive elephants used in peraheras and related religious activities.
The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to regulate elephant use in Sri Lanka's cultural practices while maintaining support for these traditional events. The Gazette's finalization marks a significant step in establishing formal guidelines for elephant allocation and care in the context of religious processions.
