17/10/2026
Farewell, Kawantissa
The great giant of Galgamuwa has gone silent.
Kawantissa, the mighty wild tusker who stood taller than any other in Sri Lanka, and taller than any tusker in all of Asia, walks the forests of Galgamuwa no more. The land that carried his thunderous footsteps for so many years now holds a stillness that feels too heavy to bear.
He was more than an elephant. He was the soul of the wild, a living monument of grace and strength. Those who were lucky enough to see him rise above the trees remember how the world seemed to pause before him. He never needed to roar to command respect. His presence alone told the story of a king who ruled with calm, not cruelty.
Through drought and heat, through years when the forest shrank around him, he endured with a quiet dignity that humbled all who watched. He carried the pride of our island on his tusks, and now that pride is joined by a deep, aching grief.
The jungle will remember you, Kawantissa. The old trees, the waterholes, and the winds that moved across the plains of Galgamuwa will carry your name for generations. And in the hearts of every Sri Lankan who ever heard your story, you will always stand tall, taller than the tallest, loved beyond measure.
Rest in peace, gentle giant. May the forests you now wander be endless, and may your footsteps echo forever in our memories.
Rest in peace, Kawantissa. The king of the wild, forever in our hearts. 🐘❤️🤍💔
