From the Zoo it was shifted to Pinnawala village on a 25-acre (10 ha) coconut plantation adjacent to the Maha Oya River.

The main site also has some restaurants and refreshment stands, and management buildings including sleeping sheds and veterinary facilities.

The elephant bathing and viewing area along the Oya River is directly opposite on the west side of the highway.

The addition of orphans continued till 1995 when the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) adjoining Udawalawe National Park was created by the DWC.

Large quantities of jackfruit, coconut, kitul (sugar palm), tamarind and grass, brought in daily, form the bulk of the elephants food.

The natural environment and healthy care and feeding at Pinnawala made the elephant breeding program a success.

One tusker, Raja, who died in 2013, was blind,[11] and one female, named Sama, lost her front right leg to a land mine.

In 2012 The Sri Lanka Environment Trust spoke out against authorities who continue to 'donate' tamed elephants to people who had 'poor' past records of taking care of animals.

"There are enough cases to show that the authorities are releasing elephants from Pinnawala to the same group of people who don't take care of the animals."