Sri Lanka has a very long history with elephants. It extends from the time of King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka and Hannibal from Europe. This book records this story accordingly, dealing with the uses elephants have been put to by various (colonial) powers in Sri Lanka.
Preface vii
1. Some general features ‘of elephants 1
2. The Mahawamsa and Culawamsa 12
3. Elephants in Taprobane 20
4. Duties of captured elephants 25
5. Other features of elephants 38
6. Methods of capture 46
7. Portuguese influence 53
8. The Dutch 60
9. British occupation 73
10. Maduwanwela Dissawe 91
11. Last kraal in Independent Sri Lanka 108
12. Bibliography 110
Index 118