{"id":119042,"date":"2021-10-10T13:22:37","date_gmt":"2021-10-10T20:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=119042"},"modified":"2021-10-10T13:22:37","modified_gmt":"2021-10-10T20:22:37","slug":"the-elephant-in-sri-lanka-part-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2021\/10\/10\/the-elephant-in-sri-lanka-part-11\/","title":{"rendered":"THE ELEPHANT IN SRI LANKA Part 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

KAMALIKA PIERIS<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

The government of Sri Lanka issued a new gazette on elephants in\n2021. It is titled    Fauna and Flora (Protection,\nWell-being and Regularization of Registration of Tamed Elephants) Regulations\nNo. 01 of 2021\u201d. This replaces Registration\nand Licensing of Tuskers and Elephants Regulations, 1991 published in the Gazette\n<\/em>Extraordinary No. 662\/4 of 14. May, 1991. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new gazette is a treat to read even for those who do not own\nelephants. It is easier to register a baby or a car than it is to register an\nelephant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gazette has three separate application forms, one for\n\u2018Registration of a tamed elephant,\u2019 another form for \u2018Registration of an\nunregistered elephant that is currently in the custody of an owner\u2019 and a third\nform for \u2018Obtaining Elephants for a Historical or Cultural Procession.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First\nregistration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The application form for the Registration of a tame\nelephant calls for the following information, address of the place where the\nelephant is kept, including province, district, divisional secretariat division\nand Grama Niladhari division. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\napplication must state whether it is an i) elephant, ii) tusker or iii) she\nelephant (sic). A DNA test must be done on the elephant and the DNA information\nstated in the application. The elephant must be microchipped and the microchip\nnumber stated. A certificate obtained from the Veterinary Surgeon with regard\nto microchip must be attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information\nmust also be provided on the mahout assigned to the elephant. His name, address,\nN.I.C. number, experience, awards, certificates received and medical\ncertificate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nprospective owner is thoroughly grilled. \nDoes the applicant own other elephants? \nIf so, number of elephants, registration numbers of such elephants, and\nhow they were obtained. If any had died, was it a natural death or something\nelse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\nis a separate section in the application form, headed The economic potential\nof the applicant to care for the elephant\u201d. The owner of the elephant has to\nfurnish bank reports, details of all income generation including any property.\nIf property then the lands must be named and certified copies provided  with details for the last three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\napplicant must   formally declare\nthat  he has the potential to care for\nthe elephant   and can ensure the\nwell-being and protection of the elephant. But that  alone is not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\napplicant must  show that he can provide\nfor the   following specific  needs of the elephant. He must show the way\nof getting food for the elephant, the way of getting water (to drink and bath)\nfor the elephant, the way that the elephant is retained when in musth,  the \nway of getting necessary treatments \nand the way of obtaining transportation facilities for the elephant.  There are separate spaces in the form for\nthese answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 If the elephant is used for peraheras, then\nthe name (chapter) of the temple that obtains the elephant must be named and a\ndetailed account of the procession and cultural activities done by the temple or\ndevale must be given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approval<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>Every application for registering\nan elephant has to go before an Examinations Committee which consists of    six persons,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

i Additional Secretary from the Wildlife Ministry .He chairs the\ncommittee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ii. Government Agent of the District within which the applicant\nresides<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iii Additional secretary from Home ministry <\/p>\n\n\n\n

iv. Deputy\nDirector or Veterinary Surgeon of the Department of Wildlife Conservation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 v. Director of the Buddhist Affairs Department<\/p>\n\n\n\n

vi Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer of the Tamed Elephant Owners\nOrganization<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The  application then  goes before a Recommendation Committee which\nconsists of <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(a)  Secretary ( sic)\n<\/p>\n\n\n

[probably Secretary, Department of Wildlife Conservation]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b)  Secretary to the\nMinistry which includes Public Administration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) Director General (sic) [probably DG, Wildlife conservation.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Commissioner-General of Buddhist Affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Director-General of the Department of National Zoological\nGardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\nThe  application form  ends with space for two recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Recommendation from Association\nof  Owners of tamed elephants carrying\nthe  Signature of the Chairman or\nSecretary Tamed Elephants Owners\u2019 Association and the Official Seal.  <\/li>
  2. Recommendation\nfrom the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural\nAffairs \/ Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs. <\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Data record Book.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The owner of an elephant  must maintain a Data Record Book and show it every\nsix months to the Department of Wild Life Conservation. Data Record Book is\nissued by the Department of Animal production and Health  and contains:-(a) Data sheet;(b) Treatment\nhistory sheet;(c) Vaccination sheet. The  Data Record Book  must also carry photographs of the elephant.\nThe front view of the head and trunk, \nside view (Left) (3″x4″) \nand side view (Right) (3″x4″)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Registering  an unregistered elephant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Application\nForm for the Registration of an unregistered elephant  presently in the custody of an owner   insists\non photographs of the elephant, back , front and side. Front view of\nthe elephant showing the head and trunk (3″x4″)Rear view of the\nelephant showing hind quarters and tail (3″x4″) , side view of the\nelephant(left) (3″x4″) and side view of the elephant(right)\n(3″x4″)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Licence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The \napplication for a  Licence for the\nRegistration and Detaining a Tame Elephant   wants further\nmeasurements in addition to the measurements mentioned above. Height up to\nthe shoulder  must be stated in feet and\ninches and circumference of the front foot in inches. any other significant\nfeatures or deformation of body parts must be recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    the licence is valid for a period of one year from the date of\nissue . It has to be renewed every year. The elephant therefore is like a car,\nnot a baby. If such license is misplaced or stolen, the owner must inform the\nprescribed officer, the Divisional Secretary of the Division or the Officer in\ncharge of the Police Station of the relevant area within which the elephant is\nusually kept. ( sic)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Renewal of licence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The application for renewal of licence must carry photographs of the elephant, front, back and sides as\nwell as  height up to shoulder. also\ninformation on tusks,  length of right\ntusk in feet and inches, also left tusk .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Obtaining Tamed Elephants for a Historical Cultural Processions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    if a Devalaya or a temple \nwants an elephant for a perahera the trustee or the viharadhipathi of\nsuch Devalaya or a temple, must apply to the Tamed elephants Owners\u2019 Organization,\nwho will endorse the application and send it Commissioner General of Buddhist\nAffairs for recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    if approval is given,  the\nSecretary to Buddha Sasana Ministry  must\nsend the application to the Secretary , Wildlife,  who will then direct  either Director-General of Wildlife or the\nNational Zoological Gardens, to send the elephant and keep a record of the\nmatter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    the Application must\nprovide detailed information on the proposed  perahera. its name, location,  procession route and time period. also it\nmust indicate the facilities to be provided for the elephant,  such as size of its shelter, the provision of\nfood  drink, water to bathe in,\ninformation on the mahout and the presence of a vet. These are all listed in\nthe form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Transport<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead of the elephant providing transport, now  vehicles must transport the elephant.  but the elephant must not be transported\ncontinuously for more than twelve hours. The vehicle must be able to carry that\namount  of weight, and must hold the\nrequired permit. it must have a minimum of \nsix wheels. Where two elephants are transported  the \nvehicle must have at least ten wheels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When any elephant is being transported, the vehicle must exhibit a\nboard indicating that an elephant is being transported, and the speed of such\nvehicle shall not exceed thirty (30 km) per hour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Living conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *Elephants must be provided with a stable or any other traditional\nnatural elephant tethering with sufficient shade and ventilation in a clean and\nhealthy environment with  suitable\ndrainage system and waste disposal system; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *The height of the stable must suit  the height of the elephant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *The roof must be \ninsulated  with gunny bags, straw,\ncadjan leaves or such other material in order to minimize the heat inside the\nstable. if the roof  consists of iron or\nasbestos planks something must be done to minimize the heat inside the stable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *Where any natural elephant tethering is made, it shall be made\nunder the shade of a huge strong ramified tree and  there must be facilities for resting the hind\nlimbs of the elephant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    * If the place in which the elephant is kept is exposed to\nlightning, a lightning conductor must be  fixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *When an elephant is in musth or agitated and requires to be tied,\nprotective knots  made in accordance with\nthe traditional methods  must be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *An  elephant shall be\nbathed not less than for two and a half 2 \u00bd  hours daily except when transporting or on the\ndays of the perahera. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *No person shall light crackers or shoot near any elephant except\nthe traditional gun fire which is essential in traditional processions;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *An elephant shall be subject to a full medical examination by a\nVeterinary Surgeon or a Registered Traditional Doctor once in six months and\nthis must be recorded in the treatment history sheet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    * Every elephant shall be examined by a Veterinary Surgeon or\nRegistered Traditional Doctor who treats elephants to ascertain whether such\nelephant is suffering from a nutritional deficiency or any other infirmity  If so, it must be given the food and  medicine prescribed. this must be endorsed\nwhen the permit is renewed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *Every elephant shall be allowed sufficient time to sleep and in\nthe case of an elephant below five years of age, be allowed to sleep for a\nlonger duration than that<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *Any person who takes care of an elephant  must have more than three acres of land  for the elephant to use. In case of more than one\nelephant, one acre each shall be added for each   new elephant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *A trained and experienced mahout shall be engaged to take care of\nthe elephant. The owner must make sure that the \nmahout is not drunk when on duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *The mahout must follow the training programme conducted by the\nDepartment of Wildlife Conservation in collaboration with the Department of\nNational Zoological Gardens and the Tamed Elephants Owners\u2019 Organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Work conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    **Timber or any other weight shall not be transported with the\ndirect use of tusks or jaws of such elephant except in accordance with\ntraditional methodology using mouth piece or harness<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    **The weight carried by the elephant in this manner shall be less\nthan one third (1\/3) of the weight of the elephant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    **An elephant  must not be\nmade to work in extremely unfavorable hot weather conditions <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    **When elephants are decorated for functions, using lights,\ngenerators or any other dangerous electricity supply shall not be used and\nbatteries with a minimum electric power  must be used to prevent any harm to the\nelephant; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    **an elephant must not be made to walk for long durations on tar\nroads during extremely hot weather conditions except for perahera or bathing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    **An elephant shall not be engaged in any work during the night\nexcept for a procession<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    **An elephant must not be made to swim across dangerous waterways\nor rivers. (continued)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    KAMALIKA PIERIS The government of Sri Lanka issued a new gazette on elephants in 2021. It is titled    Fauna and Flora (Protection, Well-being and Regularization of Registration of Tamed Elephants) Regulations No. 01 of 2021\u201d. This replaces Registration and Licensing of Tuskers and Elephants Regulations, 1991 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 662\/4 of 14. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-119042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-kamalika-pieris"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119042","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119042"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119042\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}