Muthu Raja to stay in Sri Lanka; Ministry in talks with Thai Embassy

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation had blamed the unruly conduct of a caretaker or mahout for causing serious harm and torture to the Muthu Raja Tusker who was held at the Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama.

The tusker Muthu Raja was gifted by Thailand to Sri Lanka in 2001 during the presidency of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and it was moved to the Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama.

The tusker, however, fell ill multiple times while at the Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama.

Recently, a delegation from the Thai Embassy in Colombo visited the Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama to inquire into the well-being of the tusker, and following their inspection it was decided to move the tusker out of the temple and place it under the case of the Dehiwala National Zoo.

The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation said the Muthu Raja tusker is now under the protective care of the Dehiwala Nationa Zoo and its staff.

However, the Thai Ambassador had decided to send the tusker back to Thailand.

A statement from the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation noted that Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to immediately discuss the matter with the Thai Ambassador, as the Department of National Zoological Gardens had agreed to take care of the tusker.