Because of lukewarm response of Minister, for the first time in history, the Ruhunu Kataragama Devala Maha Peahara have to be conducted with one elephant said D.P. Kumarage, Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya. He stated this in a media conference held in Colombo yesterday.  

He pointed out that the promised made by President to provide elephants to the devayalya is continuously delayed by Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife. He further mentioned that the minister was given four letters asking for a 4-6 years old elephant.

When a journalist asked about Ministers statement on providing elephants by making an elephant reserve, Basnayake said that Minster could do the perehara and its even better the perhara is done by the government.