Resigned Director General of National Zoological Gardens Ishini Wickeremesinghe said that she was helpless in protecting elephants and when 15 elephants were being forcibly taken away from Pinnawala recently.
Sharing a video which showed an elephant was taken away from Pinnawala following the recent Court order on Facebook profile, Wickramasinghe said,
“Sri Devi is a very loving and affectionate elephant .. My favorite in Pinnawela .. I was helpless in protecting her and the other elephants being forcibly taken away from Pinnawela .. what cruelty it is to take away their freedom for one’s individual interests.”
Wickremesinghe resigned from her post following recent Court Order to release 13 tamed elephants taken into CID custody to their original ‘owners.’
The court order was made after submissions were made based on the Gazette issued by the Minister of Wildlife and the advice of the Attorney General.
The said gazette notification sparked controversy and environmentalists allege that it paves way to release elephants illegally.
