Jumbo income at Pinnawala Orphanage last year
Ridma DISSANAYAKE
The Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala earned an income of over Rs 490
million last year, National Zoological Gardens Director General Anura de
Silva said.
The Orphanage earned a Rs 13.3 million revenue during the first seven
days of this year as well, he said.
Sources said Rs 12.9 million out of this year’s income was earned
from foreign visitors and Rs 459,030 from locals.
Nearly 7,527 foreigners and 5,179 locals visited the Elephant
Orphanage during the first week, they said.
De Silva said 463,000 local tourists visited the Pinnawala Elephant
Orphanage in 2011 and it earned a revenue of Rs 34 million while it
earned a revenue of Rs 445 million from 273,000 foreign tourists.
The total revenue earned by the Elephant Orphanage in 2011 was Rs 479
million, he said. This was from the Rs 38 million income earned from
496,000 Sri Lankan tourists and Rs 455 million from 266,000 foreign
tourists. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa initiated a
number of development projects to develop the orphanage during the last
year, including internal road net works, water facilities and a modern
toilet complex, de Silva said.
A feeding place for elephants and rest room for workers, an elephant
viewing centre and a souvenir shop are to be constructed this year.
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