A lion gifted to Sri Lanka by the Seoul Zoo arrived at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens early this morning.

The two-year-old lion was gifted to Sri Lanka under the programme of exchange of animals between the two countries, the Zoological Garden authorities said.

The lion would be caged until it became accustomed to the environment and would later be released to the open zoological gardens in Rideegama, Hambantota.

Two lionesses are also expected to arrive from Germany at the end of the month and they would be displayed for public viewing after the ceremonial christening. (Pix by M. Suranjith Perera) (News by  H.M. Dharmapala)