05th January 2023 11:53:49 Hours
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army on Wednesday (4) after inaugural ceremonies and prize-awarding events at Panagoda Army Cantonment took a few minutes off his schedule to have a quick look at the ‘Kandula - IX’, the newest Regimental mascot of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment (SLLI) residing at the SLLI Regimental HQ.
The pachyderm christened ‘Kandula - IX’ was brought to the SLLI Regimental Headquarters as the 9th auspicious Mascot on 24 November 2022 after its fully-grown predecessor, 'Kandula - VIII' was returned to the zoological gardens for further nurturing as has been the practice down the line, consequent upon an agreement that has been made with the National Zoological Garden at Dehiwala.
The Army Chief patted the mascot, spoke to its caretaker and spent a few minutes with it while feeding before he joined the remainder of the day's itinerary.
The SLLI in close collaboration with the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Department of Wildlife, adhering to existing rules and regulations receives the custodianship of an elephant periodically after an agreement to that effect was reached with the National Zoological Garden at Dehiwala. It is used to add colour and historical dignity during national and military ceremonials. The elephant after its maturity is handed back to the authorities as per terms and conditions of the agreement.
