Elephant conservation: Sajith recalls rare 1961 tusker photograph taken by his father

Newswire reports that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa recalled an image of the Walaskema Tusker made by his father, former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, in August 1961. In a video message prompted by Kawanthissa’s recent death, he connected the photograph with protecting Sri Lanka’s elephants.

Newswire says Ranasinghe Premadasa was an environmentalist and wildlife photographer who taught his son about the importance of elephant protection. The Walaskema Tusker was the first elephant he photographed, according to Newswire; it regularly visited the Walaskema area in Block 2 of Yala National Park during dry-season water shortages.

Newswire reports that the elephant bent down to drink at Walaskema, creating a mark in the rock that can still be seen. Ranasinghe Premadasa reached the site the night before the image was made at about 6 a.m., according to Newswire. The outlet says few photographers in Sri Lanka had captured the tusker.

Newswire reports that Sajith Premadasa intends to share the historic image, especially with younger people, to promote elephant protection. Newswire says he expressed concern about Sri Lanka’s declining elephant population and called for increased conservation efforts.