The proposal made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to proceed with the relevant activities, was approved by the Cabinet.
Nedungamuwe Raja, the inaugural elephant king who carried the coffin of the Temple of the Tooth on 13 occasions from 2005 to 2021, passed away on March 7, during which time he participated in various parades throughout Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s inaugural elephant kings are the only animal in the world to be so honored.