A former Diyawadana Nilame, Neranjan Wijeratne, has warned of legal action to recover maintenance costs, if attempts were made for the return of the ‘Thai Raja’ tusker to Thailand.
The jumbo was gifted by the Thai king to Sri Dalada Maligawa 37 years ago.
In a statement, Wijeratne said it was unethical to demand the return of a gift.
According to him, the tusker is healthy and living well under the close supervision of a trio of veterinarians, but NGOs have supplied false information to Thailand.
They are using the issue of ‘Muthu Raja’ to their advantage, he added.
