The human-elephant relationship in the country has been a complex one with a tug of war between what is culturally accepted and between what is morally right.

We have taken large strides in an effort maintain this equilibrium, primarily with the destruction of 359 tusks on January 26 by the Sri Lankan Customs. 16 countries before us have destroyed their stockpiles of ivory but Sri Lanka is unique in that we are probably the first to apologise for the cruel and inhumane actions that went into the killing of the elephants. The Venerable Omalpe SobithaThero, who led the religious service for all the elephants who were killed  said, “We have to apologise. Those elephants were victimized by the cruelty of certain people. But all of human society is responsible. We destroyed those innocent lives to take those tusks. We have to ask for pardon from them.” It is a bold move in which it will be made clear to those within the supply chain of illegal trading of tusks that Sri Lanka does not and will not condone such activities. 

Despite our efforts on an international scale, there is still much to do at home. It has become somewhat the norm to see elephants being used in religious ceremonies. But beyond the pretty lights and the glittering costumes lies a much less appealing truth; that elephants often lead a life of hardship in captivity. There are issues associated with the actual ownership of some of these elephants too. Sundari Sita Ram, Heart of Ganesh  alleges that chaos and complexity rules, as rampant illegal captures of wild-caught elephant calves and their forged documentation allows cruelty to continue unabated for captive elephants. 

Sujeeva, Centre for Eco-Cultural Studies, says 

“The problem with elephants being held in captivity is that many times, their permits are not valid. There is evidence that there is an internal racket taking place within the system as permits have been visibly altered – in some cases, tipex has been used to change names. Elephants are gifted for religious or cultural purposes but then used for commercial purposes such as timber transport and to for tourist rides in Kegalle, Habaragama and Srigiriya. The elephants are chained and ropes used to tie a chair onto their back wreak havoc on their lungs which leave them with long term respiratory issues.” 

Whilst Sri Lanka is taking steps in the right direction, there still remains a great amount of tension between where we could be with regard to the treatment of elephants within the country and where we are now. 

We spoke to a few people about their thoughts on the burning of ivory. 

Students from St. Bridget's Convent 

We appreciate and are grateful for what they are doing. 

Chandana Marasinghe 

It is a good thing that they are doing. Although the tusks have value, you have to do the right thing by destroying them. By doing this, Sri Lanka will have a good reputation. 

Dilini Samarasekera 

I had mixed feelings about destroying the tusks as I felt that they were going to waste but what they did was really great. Elephants are so majestic and they are part of Sri Lankan pride. I hope that this sends a strong message to the world that this is unacceptable. I must also mention that treatment of elephants in Sri Lanka must be improved as they should not be used for entertainment or kept at temples. 

Ravi Algama, Environmentalist 

I have seen the letter that was issued by the former President’s Secretariat requesting for the tusks to be brought to the office of the Secretariat for display at the Sri DaladaMaligawa and two other temples. Such actions would have undermined religious and humanitarian values and our only option is to destroy them so that all economic value will be lost. I applaud the new government which had the courage to uphold these values. 

Angelo Hettige 

It was kind of a good thing because people will be discouraged from trying anything like this however the value of the ivory will be lost. Hopefully things like this will be reduced. 

By Upeksha Hettiarachchi 
Photographs of ivory by Samantha Perera