The Department of Wildlife Conservation is expected to obtain a court order today (17) to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of Kawanthissa’s death, according to reports.
Kawanthissa, regarded as the largest and tallest wild tusker in Sri Lanka, died yesterday (16) while receiving treatment in critical condition.
A team including experts from the University of Peradeniya is expected to examine the elephant’s remains to establish the exact cause of death, according to reports.
Meanwhile, environmentalists, members of the public and politicians have posted numerous heartfelt tributes to the deceased elephant on Facebook.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has also posted an emotional tribute on his official Facebook account.
“Kawanthissa, the great tusker,
I believe that the forest itself has, for the last time, taken the king of the great wilderness into its embrace.
Throughout the history of our country, there has been no place where elephants have not played a role. This magnificent creature can be found among the pages of the Mahavamsa. Elephants have been present at the great procession of the Sacred Tooth Relic, at coronations and on battlefields. Kadol, the elephant who symbolised royalty, was regarded as the equal of a king in history.
In Buddhism, the elephant was a Bodhisattva. The elephant’s footprint became the Gajaga Vannama.
In our culture, an elephant is a living symbol intertwined with history, religion, art and everyday life. It is revered, regarded as an auspicious symbol and worthy of protection.
Farewell to the great tusker of our elephant lineage, who graced our motherland and embodied pride, strength, patience and a human heart filled with compassion.”
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has also posted a tribute to Kawanthissa on his official Facebook page.
“The crowned great king Kawanthissa of Sri Lanka’s royal lineage of elephants,
Farewell, my friend.”
Meanwhile, former Minister Dullas Alahapperuma wrote that “the second Kawanthissa, too, has departed the palace today”.
His tribute reads:
“Great King Kawanthissa, the First,
History records that it was your eldest son who united the motherland, centred on the Ruhuna region, approximately 2,180 years ago. Yet it was not merely the military strength, people power and financial resources required for victory that you planned; you are also credited with laying the foundations of the motherland’s first professional army.
The second Kawanthissa, who made the North-Western region of Galgamuwa his kingdom and was subjected to the torment of certain uncivilised citizens in a land civilised by rulers such as Mihindu Thera, Parakramabahu, Vijayabahu and yourself, has today departed his palace.
Great King Kawanthissa, the Second, the mighty tusker,
Forgive us for all the cruelty inflicted upon you by savage, solitary beasts in human guise, driven mad by their own rage.
I firmly believe that even those who inflict such poison and cruelty, and even you yourself, will surely come to understand, in the next life if not before, the wisdom of the First Kawanthissa’s maxim — which even Prince Gemunu failed to understand — that ‘intelligence and patience will one day triumph over anger’.”
Meanwhile, well-known businessman Dudley Sirisena, who had offered to bear all the financial costs of treating Kawanthissa when the elephant was critically ill, has also posted an emotional tribute to the tusker following its death.
“May lightning strike the hearts of those who caused this untimely death.
May you be born, my son, in a place where there are no inhumane beings.”