The elephant orphanage at p1nnawela was as its name suggests started as an orphanage for orphaned or abandoned elephants. This plan of looking after wild baby elephants, which had lost their mothers, was first proposed in the 1960s and was begun in a small way at the zoo in colombo. During those early years, a lot of research was done to perfect the formula for the mild for the baby elephants, and once this was successfully accomplished;

The orphanage was moved to pinnewela in 1974. As the baby elephants grew, they decided to start a breeding programme for the elephants. This commenced in 1982 and since then about 9 baby elephants have been born at the orphanage, this is considered to be a very good success rate. From small beginnings it has now increased to a sizable herd roaming at will in its new found home.

The baby elephants are the favourites of all visitors, who enjoy the feeding time when these babies are given their ration of milk. Equally enjoyable is the daily bath when the entire herd joins up and ambles towards the nearby river to frolic in the water to their hearts content.

When one stands on the three-mile long dam across the Walawe River and follows the impounded waters of this 13 sq mile reservoir in a north-easterly direction one looks at the uda walawe national park. Sri lanka's fifth such wildlife reserve to open to visitors.

The landscapes of this high, misty plateau, some 20 km (12 miles) south of Nuwara Eliya and up to 2400m above sea level, are unique in Sri Lanka, combining mountain grassland with areas of miniature 'elfin' forest - dwarf forms of trees and shrubs adapted to the cool climate and skimpy soil of the plains. Above the plateau rise the summits of Kirigalpotta and Totapola, at 2395m and 2357m respectively, they are Sri Lanka's second and third highest peaks.

Wildlife includes Samba, which keeps to the edge of wooded areas, bear monkey, often seen and heard in forested areas, and giant squirrel and leopard, which are shy and very rarely seen. Many visitors make a beeline for World's End, the 700m (2300ft.) drop-off that forms an abrupt southern boundary to the plains. For the best views, arrive at sunrise, before the mist that often shrouds the slopes below has had time to form.

Literally meaning city of gems, ratnapura is the centre of the precious stone industry and is the chief supplier of the world’s sapphires. Rubies. Amethysts. Cats eyes and Moonstones. The Ceylon sapphire is a part of the British crown jewels and Princess Diana’s sapphire for her engagement ring was also supplied from Sri Lanka.