The owner of 'Sudumanike', who participated in the Dalada Perahera, is a twenty-year-old young woman.

Recently, there was much discussion on social media about Sudu Manike, the elephant from Ganethenna, Mawanella, who gracefully danced and captivated the public while representing the Kataragama Devalaya at the Kandy Esala Perahera festival. This intense discussion stemmed from a unique incident that occurred on the day of the fourth Randoli Perahera. On that day, while returning after having tea, police officers at the checkpoint located at the intersection of Dalada Veediya and Yatinuwara Veediya questioned the mahout about a tree-cutting knife he possessed.

Subsequently, the officers took both the knife and the permit issued for the Perahera into police custody, ordering that the elephant also be brought to the police checkpoint to retrieve them.

Following that order, mahout Pathum brought Sudu Manike the elephant to the police checkpoint, astonishing the large crowd gathered to watch the Perahera. Sudu Manike arrived faster than her usual pace, and after being led right up to a table inside the checkpoint, the police officers who witnessed the event live returned the mahout's identification and the knife. This incident was captured on cameras and released on social media, gaining immense popularity and is still circulating.

The family background behind this incident also deserves equal attention. Sudu Manike, who is 18 years old and currently the tallest elephant in Sri Lanka, is owned by 20-year-old Miss Meesha Mirihalla, the youngest elephant owner on the island, and her mother, Darshani Mirihalla. Their 58-year-old elephant, Rama, is considered the largest elephant in Sri Lanka. Although the ownership of the elephants still remains under the name of Mr. Buddhika Mirihalla, who passed away due to a sudden illness 8 months ago, after his demise, Meesha, her mother, and her two younger sisters collectively fulfill the responsibility of engaging these elephants in cultural activities and Perahera festivals.

Meesha Mirihalla states that Sudu Manike, who is two years younger than her, grew up as a family member since childhood. On days she is at home, Sudu Manike greatly enjoys a morning milk tea, and she is much closer to the family members than Rama. She mentioned that although they have managed elephants for generations, they never sought publicity for it, and there is a humble joy about the popularity gained from this incident.

Rama, the elephant under their care, also has a special characteristic. Currently, among domesticated elephants, Rama is the only one who travels on foot for Perahera festivals, and this time too, he walked to the Kandy Perahera. Due to Rama's musth period coinciding with the Esala month in previous years, he has had the opportunity to participate in the Kandy Perahera this time after about 35 years. The reason for this is that his musth period ended earlier this year.

Kaveesha Mirihalla, Meesha's 18-year-old younger sister, who is the same age as Sudu Manike, stated that Sudu Manike became very sensitive after their father's demise. Sudu Manike, who grieved with tears in her eyes while looking at her father's body, did not even eat properly for several days. Even today, if she hears her father's voice from a mobile phone, Sudu Manike quietly grieves, so the family avoids even showing her father's photographs. Connecting Rama the elephant to the Kandy Perahera was their father's big dream, and even though their father is no longer with them, they went together to see Sudu Manike and Rama participate in the Perahera this time. Kaveesha further added that while dancing and moving along, as soon as Sudu Manike spots her family, she signals with her trunk, showing affection.

After the Kandy Perahera concluded, Sudu Manike is currently participating in the Wilbawa Perahera, and unlike Rama, Sudu Manike is transported by vehicle for the Perahera. Currently, four mahouts are employed at the Mirihalla residence in Mawanella for these two elephants, and Sudu Manike has been looked after by Pathum Alibasunnaha since she was young.