Ranga de Silva

Nadungama Raja with his mahout Kaluputha.

Photographed at the Bellanwila Temple while preparing for the Bellanwila perahara.

Please note that all images in this blog are the property of the photographer. No one may use these images without written permission from the photographer. The fact that it’s on the internet is not an excuse for you to steal it. Legal action will be taken against anyone using these images without permission from the photographer.

If you are interested in using these photographs, please email (rangad.silva[at]gmail.com) me for permission.

My friend Chanishka has a fascination with elephants. And I’ve developed an obsession for taking pictures. So, we decided to put both our obsessions to use and photograph some (if we’re lucky, all) of the interesting elephants in Sri Lanka. After months of planning and a couple of failed attempts, we finally decided to get our little project rolling and visited Raja.

Raja is now sixty plus years old and is said to have the longest tusks for a Sri Lankan elephant. He’s now enjoying his retirement at an elephant orphanage just outside Kegalle.

Rajas Mahout Martin washes him at the nearby stream.

Raja is currently in must until April. During this time only Martin is allowed near him.

Please note that all images in this blog are the property of the photographer. No one may use these images without written permission from the photographer. The fact that it’s on the internet is not an excuse for you to steal it. Legal action will be taken against anyone using these images without permission from the photographer.

If you are interested in using these photographs, please email me for permission.