DeceasedWild Tuskerc. 1975 – October 2026 (Aged approx. 45–50)

Kawanthissa (The Siyambalangamuwa Giant)

කාවන්තිස්ස
Kawanthissa (The Siyambalangamuwa Giant)
Kawanthissa standing in the quiet scrublands of Usgala Siyambalangamuwa at duskCredit: Wanali Archival Wildlife Reconstruction Studio (Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0)

Archival Field Dossier

Roaming TerritoryUsgala Siyambalangamuwa, Galgamuwa and Maho
Habitat SanctuaryUsgala Siyambalangamuwa tank catchment, Galgamuwa and Maho forests
Geographic Coordinates7.9833 N, 80.25 E
Physical Anatomy & TusksTowering 11 ft shoulder height, thick majestic symmetrical ivory tusks, calm and dignified wild temperament
Fate and Cause of DeathGunshot wound to the right front leg in late September 2026 leading to acute physical deterioration, dehydration, and collapse on October 16, 2026. His passing inspired the creation of this very registry and sparked nationwide demands for wildlife legal reform.

Significance and Cultural Legacy

Standing nearly 11 feet tall, Kawanthissa was one of the largest and most beloved wild tuskers in modern Sri Lankan history. Known for his astonishingly peaceful demeanor around farming villages in Galgamuwa and Maho, his tragic demise in October 2026 united the nation in grief and ignited the movement to catalog and defend every surviving tusker.

"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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