Story told about pets at Araliya Gaha Medura

Asanka who bought the 4 ponies on 9th morning when Mahinda left

Story told about pets at Araliya Gaha Medura

When former President Mahinda Rajapaksha left Temple Trees on the morning of 9th, several
animals at Temple trees had been released in various ways. Four ponies, fowls and a host of rabbits who had been there had been bought by a businessman named Asanka Indrajith of Piliyandala from a person who was in charge of the Hambantota Bird Paradise. He addressed the media recently and gave his explanation. 

There was a white pony and 3 brown coloured ponies among them and 2 young people had been employed to look after these animals. He mentioned the following when Mawbima Newspaper addressed Asanka:

When were these horses brought from Temple Trees?
Exactly the day after election day..... on January 9th .... actually these aren't horses. A type of good ponies.

How did you get the news that ponies who were at Temple Trees are to be sold? 

Not news .... When Mr. Mahinda lost the election and was leaving Temple Trees early morning on the 9th, I knew that he had told to get rid of all types of animals there.

Who had told and to whom was it told?

Mr. Mahinda had told .... Ajith Gallage. When leaving all personal things are being removed no. 

Who is Ajith Gallage?

It's he who supplies animals to Temple Trees .... who looks after activities of the animals there. He's a big businessman. He has something like a big animal park in Hambantota and also a bird park.

Do you know Ajith Gallage before?

Yes .... I know him during work related to animals. When we go to places where animals are.... we meet no.

Do you also have a good knowledge about animals?

Yes .... I also have a good knowledge. We rear various animals.

When did you come to know Gallage first of all?

It was when I went to see the animals .... at the Malabe house.

Isn't he very much connected to Temple Trees?

That's of course something that he had developed. To carry out one's own business ... one uses another person no. 

Who is connected to him at Temple Trees?

I don't like to tell those things. I also won't be able to take an animal after that .... because of these cases. We all are engaged in business no.

Is it Mr. Mahinda or Mr. Namal?

Maybe he's knowing all fathers and sons.

Were all animals there at Temple Trees sent away?

Yes .... all animals were taken to Malabe. It's from there that I got down these 4 ponies to Gonamadiththa by lorry.

What other types of animals were there?

There were a lot of types .... actually every type.

Even elephants .... tigers?

No .... no tigers. Talking macaws ..... several birds. Other animals.

At what price were these 4 animals bought?

For Rs. 80,000

What do big people keep animals like this?

So, that is to show their powers. This is one way to show their power and wealth.  A lot of wealthy people do this thing.

Is there any other astrological reason to keep animals like this?

There are animals for that also .... can't say no. That animal called rhino .. elephant .. horses ... are animals like that. Both these things called rising and falling are there where animals are concerned.

Do people have animals who are supposed to bring luck?

 Yes ... That fish called 'Aravana' which recently came into the scene .... in America in Amazon.

Such a fish ... about how much is it?

The price of course is according to the size. They are available from 1 lakh to about 100 lakhs.

Were they also to be seen at Temple Trees?

I of course haven't seen.

Now what is going to be done to these animals?

So they'll be kept. Can't say whether Mr. Gallage will ask back the animals because of the popularity that has happened. Because .... if it's a problem for him .... he may once again ask for them.

Why did you say .... a problem for him?

No .... that animals at the Temple Trees were sold at a lesser price.

Note -- Tissa Koratota

Photos -- Laksiri Rukman