DUBAI: Animal rights activists across the world are angered at Sri Lanka's government decision to send an elephant to the Philippines as a gift. Activists had called on the government to stop the sending of the animal, arguing that it would be forced to live in confinement and would be subjected to abuse. The Sri Lankan Cabinet, however, on Thursday announced that approval had been given to go ahead with the gift to the Philippines on a proposal forwarded by Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne. In a letter to Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals warned that the zoo in Manila has come under public fire for housing animals in appalling conditions. It said that there are better ways in maintaining good relations between the two countries instead of sentencing an elephant to a “lifetime of misery to the Manila Zoo and this decision will surely reflect poorly on Sri Lanka.” The animal currently lives in the zoo. It added that Mali currently spends her days alone in a barren cement enclosure that is estimated to be 60 square metres. “If Sri Lanka transfers an elephant to the Manila Zoo, it will surely be sentenced to the same fate”, it added. PETA was backed by a number of local organizations who called for the plan to be shelved at the very earliest. Sagarika Rajakarunanayake with Sathva Mithra hit out at the move saying it was not only unethical but it also violated international obligations. “Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) elephants cannot be exported for whatever reason-either the relevant authorities are not aware of this or they just do not care,” they were quoted by local Sri Lankan media as saying. BM
