Late Lankan elephant Vishva Mali on permanent display at Philippine National Museum

Saturday, 26 September 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Vishva Mali, the beloved elephant gifted by Sri Lanka to the Philippines more than four decades ago, has found a new place in the collective memory of the Filipino people, with her preserved remains now on permanent display at the National Museum of the Philippines.

The permanent display of Mali coincided with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines, being commemorated in 2026. Since the end of August, Mali has been displayed prominently at the entrance of the National Museum of Natural History, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about her remarkable story and the enduring bond between the peoples of Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines, Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa recently visited the National Museum to view Mali’s permanent display and pay tribute to an animal whose story became deeply intertwined with the cultural and emotional life of generations of Filipinos.

Mali arrived in the Philippines as a baby elephant in the late 1970s, having been gifted by Sri Lanka at the request of the Government of the Philippines. She soon became one of the most recognisable residents of the Manila Zoo and, over the decades, grew into an icon beloved by generations of Filipinos.

Over the years, Mali came to represent much more than an attraction at the zoo. She became a familiar and cherished presence in Manila and a living reminder of the friendship between Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Mali passed away in November 2023 after more than four decades in the Philippines. Her death prompted an outpouring of grief and affection across the country, reflecting the place she had come to occupy in the hearts of Filipinos.

Her permanent display at the National Museum now allows Mali’s story to continue beyond her lifetime. Given a prominent place at the entrance of the National Museum of Natural History, she serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife and conservation, as well as the enduring human connections that can grow from acts of friendship between nations.

As Sri Lanka and the Philippines mark 65 years of diplomatic relations, Mali stands as a unique symbol of their longstanding friendship.