Social media posts are criticizing the inclusion of a 70-year old female tusker to parade the Kandy Esala Perahera.
A Thai activist against cruelty to animals, Senduin Chailet, posted a photograph of the feeble elephant, on her facebook on World Tuskers Day, which fell yesterday.
In the caption, she wrote that the 70-year-old tusker, Tikiri, would find it difficult to parade several kilometres in the night amid heavy noise, smoke and fireworks for 10 days.
She further stated that nobody would see her anguish and tears after the female tusker is decorated with vibrant costume and illumination.
Meanwhile, local animal activist Iraki Kodituwakku said that Tikiri was ailing during the Randoli Perahera yesterday.