Video footage on Bellanwila jumbo: Temple sources reject media reports

17 January 2020 07:46 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Referring to the video footage circulating on social media, where an elephant was allegedly slapped with sticks by the keeper at Bellanwila Temple in Colombo, a spokesman of the temple told Daily Mirror that it was an incident which had been exaggerated by the so called media sites, which had received false information from NGOs.

“Anybody, who wishes to see how the elephant is treated, is welcomed to visit the temple,” the spokesman said.

“We would also like to call upon any doctor to examine and see whether there are any injuries on the jumbo. It is still 13- year- old elephant. Even children are punished when they do notorious activities, he said.

He added some NGO organizations had given information to foreign media sites exaggerating the events in relation to the circulating video footage.

Meanwhile, Daily Mail has reported that a 15-year-old elephant who was blamed for pushing an elderly monk to his death has been mercilessly whipped with sharp sticks at a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.

Footage shows the wild animal, which has its legs chained to trees, lying in a murky pool at the Bellanwila Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

One keeper is seen viciously slapping the elephant's leg with sticks.

Another keeper appears to clean the animal's leg and give it a scrub while the elephant tries to move his head and starts helplessly crying.

The elephant, known as Myan Prince, wails in pain and tries to grab onto one of the chains with his trunk.
In February 2018, he was blamed for killing an elderly monk at the temple.

He allegedly pushed Wimalarathana Thero, 77, to the ground during his breakfast feeding.

Bellanwila Temple denied the local reports and claimed the senior monk fell and suffered a heart attack.

Maneesha Arachchige, an activist from Rally for Animal Rights and Environment, said she is concerned about Myan Prince as he appears to be 'beaten on a regular basis'.

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Comments - 10

Anmanpan Friday, 17 January 2020 08:10 PM

Keeping animals in captivity is against the Buddhist philosophy. These animals are born free and they roamed this land long before humans. What right do we have to tie them and beat them up. Thanks to the NGOs.

Ajith66 Friday, 17 January 2020 08:17 PM

Why these NGOs are silence about killing 10,000 camels in Australia. Animal right should be "right" for elephant or Camel

DillonDP Friday, 17 January 2020 08:19 PM

Wow I seriously thought it was another country. This really sick

Neil Friday, 17 January 2020 08:21 PM

Need to have an impartial inquiry. If animal cruelty established, those who are responsible need to be sued. Elephant need to be handed over to the Pinnawala elephant refuge.

das Friday, 17 January 2020 08:23 PM

Blame everything on NGOs

Sisil Sudesh Friday, 17 January 2020 08:31 PM

This type of cruelty to animals must be stopped and culprits prosecuted, whoever they are.

Siva Friday, 17 January 2020 08:41 PM

In Tamil Nadu where they have temple elephants they send them to elephant santurie for a "holiday" once a year for a little over two to three weeks. There the elephants meet with other elephants, provided any medical help they need etc. They are always accompanied by their own handlers.The program is run by the Tamil Nadu Government at no cost to the temples. Why not consider such an arrangement. They too need a bit of a holiday.

Chulan Saturday, 18 January 2020 10:28 AM

Why animal lovers are silent or can’t see how they animal specially cow /goats are killed in slaughter houses in Sri Lanka. Not sure are these animal lovers are vegetarian s

Sokrates Saturday, 18 January 2020 10:38 AM

It is a shame for Sri Lanka to allow arrogant, cruel monks to imprison these majestic animals, which are much more worth than this plague of monks.

Trian Anthony Saturday, 18 January 2020 04:40 PM

Elephant or Camel (camel meat is consumed by humans) Elephant is a sacred animal best would be to ban all elephants in captivity. NGO's are doing a damn good job exposing these idiots clearly you can hear the stress in the elephants voice !!

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Video footage on Bellanwila jumbo: Temple sources reject media reports

Comments - 10

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