President Maithripala Sirisena recently said that the government was considering bringing down tame elephants from Myanmar to be used in Peraharas (traditional processions).

This was said in a discussion regarding the shortage of suitable elephants for peraharas.

Fifteen elephants allegedly kept in possession by various people without valid licenses were recently released till end of August on bonds by Colombo Magistrate's Court. One main argument was the shortage of elephants for the processions.

However, the Colombo High Court later stayed the Magistrate's order.

The government was considering the possibility of using the elephants for processions while they are in the cutody of the Department of Wildlife, as a short term solution for the problem.