Sept 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Recreation and Sports has allocated 80 million rupees to upgrade the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala, about 90 km north of the capital Colombo, the government said.

In a measure to attract more tourists to the world famous elephant sanctuary the Ministry has allocated funds build a ‘open zoo’ in an eco-friendly environment.

The Ministry plans to lay an internal road network, erect a parapet wall around the zoo, construct an overhead bridge and build a water distribution unit. The new zoo will be ready for visitors by 2011.