The elephant orphanage in Pinnawela has fallen into disrepute. Most elephants are not re-released, but were even sold. The stance is also not species-appropriate and so animal rights activists from Sri Lanka and international have exercised corresponding pressure on the government. There have already been some changes and so no more work elephants are trained and for retired work animals, there is already a nursing home. Despite criticism, it should not be forgotten that Sri Lanka still has the largest population of Indian elephants.
Exemplary is the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, where the injured or orphaned elephants in the adjacent national park are reintroduced.