Pinnawala

Pinnawala (පින්නවල) is a village near Rambukkana, between Colombo and Kandy, best known for the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Run by the state, it was founded to care for orphaned and injured wild elephants and has become one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka.

The elephants live on grounds above the Maha Oya river. Twice a day the herd walks down through the village street to bathe in the river, a sight that can be watched from riverside terraces. The facility also runs a breeding programme, and several generations of elephants have been born here. Show more

Pinnawala is part of a wider debate about captive elephants. Critics point to chaining, close contact with crowds and the limited chance of release into the wild, while supporters stress the care given to animals that could not survive alone. Visitors who want to see elephants in a more natural setting can choose national parks such as Minneriya or Udawalawe, where the Elephant Transit Home prepares orphans for return to the wild. Nearby, the Pinnawala Open Zoo and the market town of Kegalle can be visited.

Pinnawala is reached by road or by train to Rambukkana and is often visited on the way between Colombo and Kandy. A short stop of a few hours is usual. The site is open throughout the year.