Government to Gazette Rules on Captive Elephants for Peraheras, Deputy Minister Reveals

The Government is moving to formalise regulations governing the use of captive elephants at the Kandy Esala Perahera and other religious and cultural pageants across the island, Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody announced in Parliament.

Addressing lawmakers, Minister Jayakody confirmed that a Gazette notification is being prepared to establish clear guidelines on how captive elephants may be provided for participation in such events, which hold deep religious and cultural significance for Sri Lankans.

Longstanding Practice Under Regulatory Scrutiny

The use of elephants in peraheras and similar ceremonies is a centuries-old tradition in Sri Lanka, most prominently associated with the renowned Kandy Esala Perahera, one of the grandest Buddhist pageants in Asia. However, the welfare of captive elephants used in these events has increasingly drawn public and activist attention in recent years.

The Deputy Minister indicated that the Government had not taken any definitive decisions beyond the move to gazette the relevant provisions, suggesting that the regulatory framework is still being developed ahead of formal implementation.

Balancing Tradition and Animal Welfare

The announcement signals the Government's intent to bring greater oversight to the long-established practice of deploying captive elephants at religious processions, as authorities seek to balance the preservation of cultural heritage with growing concerns surrounding elephant welfare and treatment.

Further details of the proposed Gazette notification are expected to be made public in the coming weeks.

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