Thailand will be given the temporary custody of the wounded tusker ‘Muthuraja’ on the promise that it will be returned after treatment, said its custodian, Ven. Kokkawita Vipulasara Thera.
The chief incumbent of Kande Vihara in Aluthgama has told BBC Sinhala Service that he became the tusker’s custodian only four years ago.
He said its leg wound was more than 12 years old, and that he could not take responsibility for what had happened in the past.
Maximum efforts were made to treat ‘Muthuraja’, said the Thera.
According to authorities at Dehiwala Zoo, the tusker will be airlifted on July 02 to Thailand, which gifted it to Sri Lanka long years ago.
Its transportation will cost more than Rs. 200 million, said media reports.
Veterinarian Madusha Perera said around 90 per cent of the two wounds it was having were healed following six months of treatment.
