Pinnawala is a typical village and situated 94km away from Colombo. Even if the facts are so, this Pinnawala village and the name is being a keyword in Sri Lanka among tourists both local and foreign. And one of the top destination of Animal lovers especially who love elephants. Established in the mid-1970 decade.

Established by the then Government on February 16, 1975, the institute is still managed and maintained by the department of national Zoological gardens. The village of Pinnawala, which was very rural at that time and an exquisite strip of land with lush greenery full of coconut trees. There is an ancient saying about elephants, “Elephants can miss a meal but not a bath”. This is defined to what extent water will require for elephants' nature of the lifestyle. The Ma-River nearby supplemented the water abundantly as required for elephants at the orphanage.

The elephants are in Sri Lanka considered as a prestigious animal and there are evidences that exists from the olden days that the elephant has been an animal with cultural values and one of the iconic elements of the traditional emblems of Sri Lanka. Moreover besides, elephants hold the importance of economic and symbolic in the way of attracting tourists and considered as a symbol of prosperity.

The Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka’s one and only elephants orphanage and implemented the intention of the breeding centre for elephants in special needs and a nursery. Also, this is a home for handicapped and special needs homeless jumbos. The center is running on a systematic routine and it is a similar timetable for the entire year as well. Therefore, aware of the timetable is very important before a visit to the premises.

The common timetable is as below

• 08.30 am – Opens for the visitors
• 09.00 am – 09.45 am Fruit feeding
• 10.00 am – 12.00 pm Herd to the river
• 12.00 pm – 01.45 pm Fruit feeding
• 02.00 pm – 04.00 pm Herd goes to the river
• 06.00 pm – Closes for the day

The most spectacular event of the place is river time. The jumbos are guided to the river by their keepers. The warm weather condition is perfectly used by them in the water by chilling out and enjoying dipping and playing with each other. There are perfect viewpoints with tidy and clean restaurants are established around the place where can enjoying refreshments while you witnessing the adorable jumbo water-sport feast.

In order to maintain, the world's largest animal on the ground in such economical circumstances is a potential challenge. Eventually, this ex-situ conservation must take place as Elephants are recognized as an endangered animal in Sri Lanka also in the world. To cover up the massive expenses other than government funds, entrance ticket revenue is the second main aid for make- sure the wellbeing of this charming animal.