DeceasedTemple Custodian1953 – 2022 (Aged 69)

Nadungamuwa Raja

නැදුන්ගමුවේ රාජා
Nadungamuwa Raja
Nadungamuwa Raja marching peacefully along national highways to Kandy in 2018Credit: Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0 (Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 4.0)

Archival Field Dossier

Roaming TerritoryNadungamuwa, Gampaha and Kandy
Habitat SanctuaryNadungamuwa Estate, Gampaha and Sri Dalada Maligawa
Geographic Coordinates7.2906 N, 80.6337 E
Physical Anatomy & TusksOver 10.5 ft shoulder height, two parallel floor-grazing tusks, calm and dignified demeanor
Fate and Cause of DeathNatural causes due to old age in March 2022. Declared a National Cultural Treasure by Presidential decree.

Significance and Cultural Legacy

The revered 10.5-foot tall gentle giant who carried the sacred Casket of the Tooth Relic at the Kandy Esala Perahera for 15 years. He walked over 90 km along national highways from Gampaha to Kandy flanked by military escort and thousands of devotees.

"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."
Return to Tusker RegistryLocate on Sanctuary Map