The Elephants of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to almost ten percent of the worlds remaining elephant population and has a national programme to preserve this endangered species. This largest of land animals has been respected and cared for by the people of Sri Lanka for over three thousand years and has formed an important and integral part of the natural and cultural heritage. The Sri Lankan elephant (Maximus Ceylonicus) is a highly intelligent, friendly and at times a mischievously playful animal. It has a completely different physical and behavioural characteristic to the African elephant. For such a large creature, it has the ability to be extremely gentle and sensitive. Its role in society is similar to the horse in European and American countries - taking part in everything from religious ceremonies to working lifting heavy objects in locations difficult to access with machines. In the past elephants have also been used in war. It is believed that the Kandalama Lake is named after Kandula, the war elephant of the islands greatest monarch Dutugemunu.