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Mourners gather around the dead elephant Nadugamuwa Raja in Weliweriya village
Photo: - / AFP
He stood out even among Sri Lanka's sacred elephants: Nadugamuwa Raja died on Monday at the age of 68, according to the AFP news agency.
Local media put the age at 69 years.
Raja's death triggered a wave of dismay in the Indian Ocean island nation.
Numerous people made pilgrimages to the remains of the animal in Weliweriya near the capital Colombo.
They prayed, said goodbye and touched Raja's sacred tusks.
The elephant was "boss" of a hundred selected elephants that participate in the important Buddhist festival Esala Perahera in the city of Kandy every year.
The procession attracts countless tourists every year.
Raja carried a golden container with Buddhist relics.
After its death, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared the animal a "national treasure" and its remains are to be stuffed.
Raja has been "in office" in his sacred role since 2006.
Choosing his successor may take a while, because he has to belong to a certain caste and have special physical characteristics.
Among other things, the "chosen one" must touch the ground at seven points while standing: with the four legs, the trunk, the penis and the tail.
In addition, he must be at least 3.60 meters tall.
fek/AFP