COLOMBO, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lanka National Zoological Gardens Department has seen a remarkable increase in revenue in 2024, with earnings up by over 150 percent compared to 2023, Director-General Ranjan Marasinghe announced on Friday.
Speaking to journalists, Marasinghe said the department generated 1.42 billion rupees (about 5 million U.S. dollars) by Dec. 23.
This significant growth is attributed to a rise in foreign tourist arrivals and a larger number of Sri Lankans visiting these facilities as the country's economy improves, he said.
Marasinghe noted that historical data indicates the final week of December is typically a high-performing period for the National Zoological Gardens, and he expects substantial income to be generated during this time.
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage accounted for the largest portion of the revenue, contributing 876 million rupees (approximately 3 million dollars), or 61.4 percent of the total income. The Dehiwala Zoological Garden, the country's main zoo, contributed 22 percent of the revenue. ■
