DeceasedTemple Custodian1924 – 2002 (Aged 78)

Heiyantuduwa Raja

හෙයියන්තුඩුවේ රාජා
Heiyantuduwa Raja
Heiyantuduwa Raja bearing the Sacred Casket during the annual Kandy Esala PeraheraCredit: National Museum of Colombo & Family of William Gunasekara (Educational Public Heritage)

Archival Field Dossier

Roaming TerritoryHeiyantuduwa, Kelaniya and Kandy
Habitat SanctuaryHeiyantuduwa walauwa, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara and Kandy
Geographic Coordinates6.9536 N, 79.9814 E
Physical Anatomy & TusksBroad forehead, upward-sweeping ivory tusks of equal length, regal posture during Buddhist processions
Fate and Cause of DeathNatural old age in November 2002. His skeleton was preserved and gifted to the National Museum of Colombo.

Significance and Cultural Legacy

Carried the Sacred Relic Casket of the Buddha at the Dalada Maligawa for 11 years following the passing of Maligawa Raja. Also carried the relics at the Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera and Bellanwila Perahera.

"Sri Lankan tuskers represent an ancient biological and cultural heritage. Only a rare percentage of Sri Lankan Asian elephant bulls develop majestic ivory tusks, making each individual a living national treasure."
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