Chief Custodian of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela in a special statement today said not a rupee was spent by the Sri Dalada Maligawa in bringing Myanmar tuskers ‘Kaimanshu’ and ‘Motaka’ to the country in 2007.

“Various elements tried to make it sound like the Sri Dalada Maligawa had spent vast amounts of money on the two Myanmar tuskers but the truth is it was a gift and we didn’t have to spend a cent,” the Chief Custodian said.

Further stressing that the two tuskers were a gift from the government of Myanmar and not purchased by the Sri Dalada Maligawa, he said all documents pertaining to the transaction were with the Ministry of Buddhasasana and the Sri Lankan embassy in Myanmar.

“The value of the two tuskers was made known in 2007 and some people started the rumour that the Sri Dalada Maligawa had paid that amount for the purchase of the two tuskers,” he said. “These rumours have begun to circulate again.”

“But with responsibility, as the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa I confirm that not a rupee was spent in bringing the two tuskers to Sri Lanka as this was a gift from the Myanmar government,” he said.