PIYUMI'S ELEPHANT PET

There are so many who rear dogs as pets; but only a few who have the opportunity of adopting or rearing elephants as pets. Though tele-actress Piyumi Shanika so far had had a liking to rear dogs, she now dreams about rearing an elephant. She spoke about her 'elephantine' desire in an interview she gave to Lankadipa supplement Sandella last weekend.

     *What is this, I like dogs ..... and I like elephants story?
      I rear a dog at home as a pet. I am so kind to dogs. But the most favourite animal in my life is the elephant. I am not wealthy enough to rear an elephant. If I had enough wealth, I'd rear an elephant. It's because I can't do it that I rear dogs. Dogs have good qualities which are not there in some people.

    If people are cared for ... there is still no good seen in their reciprocity. But dogs are not like that. I have helped a lot of people ... have shown pity and mercy.But when they get my help ... then they forget the beginning. I begin to think, 'Oh ... haven't I been deceived by them!'

    I spend a lot of money on dogs. They can't talk ... they can't express hunger or pain ... helpless creatures. The other thing is, there is no point in rearing an animal for the sake of rearing. It must be done properly. And I am not rearing these animals as a vogue.

    *Why do you like so much to rear an elephant?
    I don't know the reason for that. Kindness to animals takes pride of place in my life. I love elephants in a strange way. I go to Uda Walawe, Pinnawela and even Kirivehera. When I go like that, it is a habit of mine to buy and give them things like water melon. I got very friendly with the elephant which was there at Gangarama. I couldn't bear its death. I also frequently go to see the baby elephant now at Gangarama. Because of this fascination I have for elephants, I like to know details about them. I even watch programmes about them. Though it's said that elephants can't jump ... they can. I have seen that in Uda Walawe. It's said that an elephant must be given about 700 tons of food for a day. They also say that elephants must have a large environment to live. So it's not easy to rear an elephant. Anyway that's the only dream I couldn't realise. Believe me ... most of the pictures and and fancy items in my house are replicas of elephants. The elephant is a nice animal.

Sandella narrative -- Sandun Gamage