This scene was photographed by a concerned citizen in Maharagama (opposite the Food City) around 3.30 pm today (8th Saturday), at a meeting for UNP Candidate Rosy Senanayake. Attendees claimed that the same elephant was used by another UNP candidate Sujeewa Senasinghe previously.
“Abusing animals for political gain is not Good Governance, this practice of abusing animals for political gain must stop” an animal rights as well as animal liberation activist told Colombo Telegraph.
Dom / August 9, 2015
I don’t think they’re abusing it, But they’re using the Elephant as an iconic symbol of the party. During Sinhalese Festivals, the Buddhist monks use Elephants for carrying the Lord Buddha on top. Isn’t that Abusive? Same question goes to that too! Think before writing a wrong side of the topic!
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Ru / August 9, 2015
Yes, they are abusing it. Elephants are not meant to walk on hot tar roads, with cloth covers/masks and political signage. Use of elephants in political rallies, sinhalese festivals, school marches, weddings are ALL equally wrong !
The sinhalese festivals, peraharas, use elephants to carry the relics of the Lord Buddha. Its an old tradition, and despite the abuse elephants undergo, it will be the hardest to change. But use of Elephants in political rallies etc is just silly and unnecessary.
We are blessed to have these majestic creatures here in sri lanka, and we should start caring for them whilst we still can.
– not a politically motivated reply.
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words / August 9, 2015
This was not a political comment/ attack on Rosy . Using elephants for any purpose is wrong and that is what this front that highlighted this incident has been campaigning for. Animals deserve our respect and love. It is of course pathetic that Rosy cannot understand that and justifies herself saying no harm came to the animal
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Buddhist / August 9, 2015
I don’t think the elephant volunteered. And yes, the same applies to Buddhist festivals as well.
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Uditha / August 10, 2015
Firstly, the elephant doesn’t carry the Buddha. Secondly, whether or not perahera pageants abuse elephants is irrelevant. Thirdly, it’s a crude and downright cheap way of justifying THIS. And in answer to your question, YES, the pageant ritualistically DOES abuse elephants. That however does NOT exonerate Rosy or Sujeewa.
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maalumiris / August 10, 2015
I for one am truly glad to see there are more people aware of this type of abuse. As one commentator mentioned, elephants do not handle heat very well
To misuse this creature in this horrid way shows just how little Sri Lankans actually care about the other creatures sharing our planet.
This has become the latest fad, To it’s everlasting shame, Royal College had an elephant in its Cycle Parade, as did DS Senanayake I believe. It was in the heat of the mid-afternoon. It was a pitiful sight on both occasions and I must say, the UNP has managed to trump it
It’s just stupid, ignorant and totally unnecessary !
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Fj / August 9, 2015
Politicians are going bonkers
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mike / August 9, 2015
I do not see the animal being abused. Coming out with cock and bull stories is their last straw! Abusing women with specific reference to playboy Namal Rajapassa’s flying angels, must stop. The parents of these girls are looking for answers ??
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Ru / August 9, 2015
As the iconic symbol of the UNP, they should probably start taking better care of these animals.
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Jagath / August 9, 2015
This is why I hate RW and the UNP. They try to put on a big show by torturing these animals but they fail at governing the country. Sri lankans in the country have lost 15 milion jobs since the UNP government took over. The corrupt bond scam has already cost our country over 60 billion rupees in the past six months alone. There are still 29 and a half more years of interest to pay before the bonds expire. If it cost us 60 billion in 6 months, the total interest we have to pay is 3.6 TRILLION over 30 years.
The only way our country can move forward is if MR and party win the next election. When he comes back, all these thieves in the UNP should be made to hang themselves at gunpoint.
I once again sincerely urge everyone at CT to vote for the UPFA.
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Jango / August 9, 2015
Jagath, you say that ” When he comes back, all these thieves in the UNP should be made to hang themselves at gunpoint.”
So what do you suggest for the thieves in the UPFA? And if the answer is consistent with your above suggestion, no guesses as to who will lead the pack.
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Yohan / August 9, 2015
15 million jobs lost in country with 20 something million people? Seriously?
And yes politics aside, there’s no justification for this type of animal abuse.
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Sally / August 9, 2015
Def of ‘abuse:’ the improper use of something.
An elephant is a WILD animal! To use elephant for human entertainment either in a circus, in a parade, or to ride it whether it be for political gain or for any purpose that promotes it’s suffering (physical and/or psychological) and denies it the right to live as a wild animal is a clear case of exploitation and abuse! The total disrespect and use of elephants in such a way in Colombo by monks, politicians and any other persons reflects the country’s small mindedness and complete lack of consideration for animal welfare by people that should know better! Pathetic!
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Just saying / August 9, 2015
A stupid news item written without any thought – it is an innocent stunt where the the elephant is not harmed in any way. Hundreds of elephants are used in Perahare’s around the country and many more to drag logs in the thick jungle in heavy chains.
CT is dragging itself further into items of no relevance in addition to other articles that have been total fabrications
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maalumiris / August 10, 2015
@Just saying
Well, in that case, lets stick a few banners on you and parade you up and down the route in the hot sun with someone sticking a goad in your backside regularly, no water or shade- I’m pretty sure you will change your tune pretty quickly
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / August 9, 2015
Is abusing animals in the name of religion right?
Is sacrificing animals in the name of God right?
Is rearing animals for slaughter right?
Is using animals in circuses right?
Is keeping animals in a zoo right?
Is eating animals or plants (also life)right?
These are ethical questions we have been asking ourselves for ages. We have not yet found the answers yet. We will not find answers because we are yet animals that are part of the animal kingdom. A fact we avoid acknowledging. We are predators by nature and our humanness is only skin deep.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Kumar R. / August 10, 2015
Rajasingham,
Just blowing hot air!
How about answering if MR abused some of the gullible two-lgged animals – teasing them with sparkling “crumbs” to do his dirty work?
Much, much easier question that you should be able to answer – right?
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Jango / August 9, 2015
I agree – poor elephant!
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Afzal / August 9, 2015
I wonder whether this concerned citizen is a Baiya ?
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roshan / August 9, 2015
CT, also write an article asking to ban Kandy Perahera
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Tharu / August 9, 2015
Colombo Telegraph,
please get one of your not so intelligent authors to publish a story, on animal cruelty. The theme should be “Stop forcing elephants to parade in processions ! Like Dalada Perahera etc. !!! This is blatant animal cruelty isn’t it !!! Over to you Cruel Telegraph !!!
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Rosy Senanayake / August 9, 2015
This banner had been placed by one of my supporters without my knowledge. It was removed the moment I noticed. No harm came to the elephant by this and I do not condone this in anyway.
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Oh Rosy. / August 10, 2015
Why not use your platform/title/position and take better care of these animals? Urge other UNP leaders and supporters to care of elephants and not harm them; not abuse them in this fashion.
Its great that you do not condone this type of behaviour, and I’m glad your poster was removed from the elephant, but it is highly unlikely the elephant itself of removed from being used at the meeting.
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Afzal / August 9, 2015
Now this is abuse
“The killers are said to have made a former girlfriend of Wasim’s listen to him being tortured, the sources said, adding that the horrific account of the events will form part of the evidence in the case”
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Uditha / August 10, 2015
Isn’t it lovely to see UNP lovers trip themselves while trying to justify Rosy! Yes, peraheras (ab)use elephants. Does that justify this elephant being kept standing fot a long, long time? Wonder what the reaction would’ve been if Namal baby was handling an elephant this way. :-)
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Sinha / August 10, 2015
“Abusing animals for political gain is not Good Governance, this practice of abusing animals for political gain must stop” an animal rights as well as animal liberation activist told Colombo Telegraph.
Is it ok to abuse elephants for religious parades? Where was this unnamed activist during the Kandy Asela Perehera? Or was the activist created by CT to add value to the story?
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D / August 10, 2015
We need animal rights and welfare laws ASAP!!! Can ANY new government provide this? It’s pathetic to puff our chests up calling our land a “Dhawmadweepaya” and all that tosh when our laws are so ANCIENT.
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Don Quixote / August 11, 2015
Does the “concerned citizen” go by the name of Rajakarunanayake ?
The same specimen who together with his family is supported by a NGO that has sworn that they will not rest until the sacred tooth relic is carried on a pick up truck in the dalada perehera ?
All “journalists” who have contributed to destroying our Country will be named and shamed after the election.
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Naga / August 14, 2015
How can anyone expect ethical behaviour from someone who was made an MP just purely because she happened to be a beautiful woman who once won the world beauty contest?
She is only a crowd puller because of her beauty. Beuty and ethical behaviour do not always mesh up well. That seems to be case here with Rosy Senanayake torturing this elephant by making it to walk on a reportedly hot road.
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