The Pinnawala Open Air Zoo has received more than 200,000 tourists since its opening.

The Zoological Gardens which has been built according to international standards spans 47 acres. Workers at the Zoo claims that more than 150 illegal shops have come up on either side of the Kegalle-Rambukkana Road.

This situation has created grave inconvenience to the visitors to the Zoo while obstructing vehicle parking. Those affiliated to the tourism industry point out that the Road Development Authority, the Police and the Rambukkana Pradeshiya Sabha should focus dire attention to this issue. Residents point out that no action has yet been taken, although notices have been up that illegal structures would be dismantled.