A second Thai elephant, presented to Sri Lanka as a “goodwill ambassador” by Thailand about 22 years ago, has been located and is in good shape.

Thai officials, in Sri Lanka to make arrangements for the repatriation to Thailand of Sak Surin, another “goodwill ambassador” elephant, found Sri Narong at the Kiri Vihara Temple in the Kataragamm region, about 260km from Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, today (Saturday).

Sri Narong was about to participate in a religious procession when it was found.

The Sri Lankan mahout, who takes care of Sri Narong, told the Thai officials that the elephant is used for religious processions only 5 or 6 times a year, unlike Sak Surin, which took part in over 30. Each event lasts about a week.

The mahout said he feels sorry for Sak Surin, adding that the mahout who looked after it had no experience and did not take good care of the elephant.

Before leaving, the Thai officials donated bananas, watermelons and sugarcane to be fed to some 16 elephants taking part in the procession.

Three Thai elephants were presented to Sri Lanka by the Thai government as gestures of friendship.