The "Vasana" elephant, which carries the sacred casket of the historic Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, has decided not to be used for any other general processions except for major historical sites such as the Kandy Dalada Perahera, says Basnayake Nilame Thilina Madushanka of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya.
The Vasana elephant, who is currently 58 years old, is an elephant that is deeply loved and respected by the people across the island.
The Basnayake Nilame points out that there are many requests to provide the Vasana elephant for processions held in various parts of the island, and that the elephant is subjected to great fatigue and distress due to being transported to various places by vehicles for long distances.