Sri Lanka is facing backlash on twitter because the nation decided to gift two elephants to Pakistan. Maryam, the publisher of this tweet, is a student in Delhi, and she questions the decision because Pakistan is currently finding it difficult to take care of the animals the country already has in zoos and parks. A prized African elephant died named Noor Jehan, because of this animal’s death, Sri Lanka has promised to gift one elephant to the Kahari zoo and the other elephant will be delivered to Lahore. The elephant named Noor Jehan was very sacred to Pakistan and the animals death reached global news because of allegations of neglect. The symbolism of elephants in Sri Lankan culture relates to Buddhism. Under Ashoka’s rule, Buddhism quickly became associated with elephants. “Elephants were used to represent the Buddha’ (Asesg.org) and are considered very sacred to the culture of Sri Lankans. The gifting of elephants resembles the relations of both nations, they both have the same intentions in regards to the powerful neighbor they both share, India. Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan have had their fair shares of issues with India and align in the idea of not wanting India to be a dominant power economically and militarily in South Asia. The gifting of elephants displays Sri Lanka’s appreciation and friendship with Pakistan. The interest in discussing of the gifting elephants arose because of animal rights activists and the importance of these animals.
HR:
When did we start to own these magnificent creatures God chose to put in this land 😒 we don't deserve good
— SafiyaS (@artistsafiya_s) April 24, 2023
Genuinely wondering about the logic behind this move at a time when Pakistan is also battling an economic crisis that has made it difficult for the country to care for the animals already in its zooshttps://t.co/UWKqJh2Nb5
— Maryam Azwer (@MaryamAzwer) April 24, 2023
https://twitter.com/artistsafiya_s/status/1650452976677552128?s=20
This second tweet displays the public’s sentiments regarding this decision
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/22/asia/pakistan-karachi-zoo-elephant-death-intl/index.html
https://www.prdb.pk/article/pakistan-sri-lanka-relations-a-story-of-friendship-1614
https://bnn.network/world/pakistan/sri-lanka-to-gift-two-elephants-to-pakistan-following-noor-jehans-tragic-death/
google “elephant meaning in Sri Lankan culture”