It is
reported that President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to submit a
special cabinet paper for approval to allow the supplying of elephants to
Buddhist temples to deploy for Peraheras.
The
reason for this decision is because a number of elephants who had been
illegally kept in
Buddhist temples
and devalayas had been taken into the possession of the authorities of the wild
life department.This has resulted in a dearth of elephants in Buddhist temples
and devalayas.
The
President had added that as during his tenure as President he will not allow
the culture and customs of the peraheras to be destroyed.
It is
reported that in Buddhist temples and in other religious institutions about 30
elephants kept sans permits have been arrested by the authorities of the wild
life conservation department after the 08th January 2015.However against
these elephants legal proceedings are been conducted.