ASOKAMALA WINS ROUND ONE
by Wasantha Ramanayake
Ceylon Daily News, Sri Lanka
Nov 1 2007
The Supreme Court yesterday restrained the Director of Wildlife from
deporting ‘Asokamala’, a female elephant to a zoo in Armenia until
November 21.
The order was sequel to an application by wildlife activists who
complained to Court that notoriously poor conditions at the Yerevan
Zoo in Armenia where an elephant had earlier died of malnutrition
and cold would in no way be congenial for the tropical animal.
The Court noted that a further extension of the interim order would
be considered on November 20. The Bench comprised Justice Dr. (Mrs.)
Shirani Thilakawardane and Justice Nimal Dissanayake.
Petitioner Vijitha Fernando of Mt. Lavinia, the Treasurer of the
Organisation, Society for the Protection of Animal Rights complained
that elephants were culturally revered and protected by the Fauna
and Flora Protection Ordinance.
Counsel Harsha Amarasekera for the petitioner submitted that Armenia
has a prolonged cold weather period where the temperatures drop
below zero. The under-funded zoo lacked power needed to heat and
food during the longer wintry weather. It was also reported that
the indoor enclosure for the elephant which was around 300 sq ft was
grossly inadequate.
The Counsel submitted that India had revoked its decision to gift
an elephant "Veda" to Armenia following public outcry against the
decision. The Indian Government then passed legislation to stop the
export of animals as diplomatic gifts.
Deputy Solicitor General Bimba Thilakrathne Jayasinghe also made
submissions on behalf of the respondents.
The petitioner cited the Director, Wildlife Conservation, the
Environment Minister, the Secretary to the Ministry and several others
as respondents.
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