My Favourite Tusker

 My favourite tusker is Nadungamuwa Raja. 

It was a very famous and respected elephant in Sri Lanka. He was known as the main elephant who carried the Sacred Tooth Relic during the Esala Perahera in Kandy. This festival is one of the most important cultural events in the country.

Nadungamuwa Raja was born in India and later brought to Sri Lanka. He was owned by the Nadungamuwa temple. He was a very tall and strong elephant, and people admired his calm and gentle nature.

Every year, Nadungamuwa Raja walked a long distance from his home to Kandy to take part in the Esala Perahera. Many people gathered on the roads to see him. He walked proudly with a beautiful decorated cloth on his body, carrying the sacred casket with great respect.

Because of his importance, he was given special protection by the government. Even the police escorted him during his journey to keep him safe. People treated him like a national treasure.

Nadungamuwa Raja passed away in 2022.03.07 . His death made many people sad because he was loved by the whole country. His dead body was remaked in the national museum in colombo. He will always be remembered as a symbol of Sri Lankan culture and tradition.