Though large in size elephants could be the most docile of animals unless provoked.

I wonder how many of the contemporary temple and devala authorities are concerned about the ever increasing number of incandescent things attached to the decorative costumes of perahera elephants? Incandescent bulbs can generate a fair amount of heat. Imagine carrying fifty of these on your face cover (called vetti malaya) for two to three hours an evening!

The power for these decorations is provided by a vehicle battery mounted on the animal’s neck. A battery with acid in its cells is a tremendous hazard by itself.

Over the years this unfortunate habit of piling more and more electric bulbs on poor elephants has increased dangerously. All animals at major peraheras, like Kandy, are examined by veterinary surgeons should they show prior restlessness. But have some sympathy for them if they behave badly due to man -inflicted reasons. Not forgetting the tremendous damage an angry pachyderm could inflict at a crowded venue.