President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday gifted a tusker named ‘Pulatisi Raja’ - gifted to him by Myanmar - to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalanda Maligawa) in Kandy.

The 24-year-old 8 foot tall tusker named ‘Pan Shwe Maung’ in Myanmar arrived in Sri Lanka on August 18 and will be kept in a special enclosure within the premises of the Temple.

The President presented the tusker to the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela during a ceremony held at the historic Magul Maduwa.

The President also paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and secured blessings.

The Maha Sangha including Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter, Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Governor of the Central Province Niluka Ekanayake,the Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Nilame of the Satara Maha Devalaya including the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela participated on this occasion