"Tikiri died with heartache of not being made to participate in perahera" -- elephant's owner says

"Tikiri died with heartache of not being made to participate in perahera" -- elephant's owner says

Elephant Tikiri who walked the streets in the Kandy, Esala perahera and drew the attention of the media the world over as having been subjected to animal cruelty passing away a few days later after the perahera in fact was sympathised by most people. She displayed a bony structure and an emaciated condition. Doctors had informed that she was suffering from a digestive condition and after a day of parading the streets she was removed from
the perahera on public protest. 

Whatever it is, authorities later stated that the elephant paraded only for one day to fulfill a vow. Mr. L.L. Thillakarathna living in Hiriwadunna, Randeniya and the owner of the deceased elephant who expressed his opinion said that she was subjected to this fate with heartache for not making her participate in the perahera. What he indirectly accuses is those who expressed their protest against animal cruelty are responsible for this death. 

Mr. Thillekerathna who expressed his ideas about Tikiri had this to say further: "Deceased Tikiri was never made to involve herself in hard labour as such. After taking part in this year's maligawa perahera she participated in a few days in Randoli perahera. She paraded in a haughty manner. She refrained from taking part for one day ... thus keeping away from her colleagues, the other elephants. It was because of that heartache a thing like this happened. 

Though it was said that she was not in a position to stand; but after we went, she stood up. After getting up she even came home. After returning home even the media spotlighted her in good health. We never kept her tied ... she was in the compound in the house. Though she was tied, she was never tied by chains ... she was tied by ropes. Because of her metal collapse ... she died from a big 'shock'. She was 78  and it may be the normal span of life. We saw to it that she never suffered from any wounds. The fault was that she was not made to participate in the perahera which was the heartache in her case. Thus Tikiri's death came about".

- Kegalle -- M.B. Pahalawththa -