(UTV | COLOMBO) – ‘Nedungamuwa Raja’ served as the ceremonial tusker carrying the casket of the pageant of the Temple of the Tooth 13 times between 2005 and 2021 and participated in numerous pageants in a number of religious places across the island.
The tusker passed away on 7th of March this year. Following the tuskers death steps were taken to conserve his remains.
Considering the invaluable service and contribution by the tusker, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal tabled by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to declare the tusker as a national heritage.