Mawanella – The Gannoruwa elephant, known to be the tallest elephant in Sri Lanka who has been featured in the annual Kandy Esala Pageant consecutively for over 60 years died after a prolonged illness at Pamunuwa, Mawanella while receiving treatment from Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Asoka Dangolla and traditional physicians of Miyanapalawa. The elephant owned by Lucky Bandaranayake was 80 years at the time of its death. The elephant was buried in Mawanella yesterday. Secretary, tamed elephants owners association Damsiri Karunaratne, said with the death of Gannoruwa elephant, the total number of tamed elephants in Sri Lanka had plummeted to 134. Three tamed elephants had died during the past two to three months.
