Wasgamuwa
Wasgamuwa
is the only National Park in the Central province, declared as a protected area
where Sri Lanka n Elephants can be seen In large herds, It is also an important Bird Area in Sri Lanka. The
name Wasgamuwa has being derived from the words "Walasa Gamuwa " “Walas’’ means
Sloth Bear in Sri Lanka and “Gamuwa’’
means a wood .
Bundala
The thorny scrub jungle
is located in the Hambantota District and harbors a plethora of wildlife. It is
home to a total of 383 plant species and 32 different species of mammals. A
drive through the park will reveal spotted deer, the rare pangolin, grey langur
monkeys, sloth bears, Jackals, crocodiles and to the extra vigilant - leopards.
Bird-watchers will be delighted to find that the Bundala wetland system lay
claims to a rich bird life with approximately 197 species, including several
species of migratory waterfowl. This has led to the declaration of the park as
Sri Lanka's first `Ramsar' wetland. It is also declared as a Man and Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO.
Gal
Oya
This serves as the main
catchment area for the Senanayake Samudraya, the largest reservoir in Sri
Lanka, and is home to a wealth of flora and fauna including rare herbs used in
Ayurveda medicine. Elephants can be witnessed here throughout the year and from
March to July herds of elephants swimming from one island to another in the
great reservoir is a sight to be seen. Other inhabitants of the park include
the axis deer, sambar deer, leopards, toque monkeys, wild boars, mugger
crocodiles and star tortoises. More than 150 species of resident and migratory
birds are to be found here along with a number of butterfly species.
Angamadilla
Angammedilla National Park is one of
the new national parks in Sri Lanka. Originally a forest reserve within the
MinneriyaGirithale Sanctuary, the park was declared as a national park to
protect the drainage basin of Parakrama Samudraya. Angammedilla also secures
the drainage basins of Minneriya and Girithale irrigation tanks, water sources
in Sudu Kanda (Sinhala for "White Hill") and habitats and wildlife of
adjacent forests.
Passikuda
The unspoilt beaches of Passekudah
and its calm waters are a treat to the discerning traveller. Located in the
East Coast of Sri Lanka, a visit to the shores of Passekudah is an experience
in itself. The colours of Passekudah attest to its sensual lure. Turquoise
seas, azure skies and golden beaches await those who visit Passekudah's shallow
coastline with its weak currents and almost still waters.
Yala
Yala National Park is located in the
south eastern region and extends over two provinces - Hambantota District of
Southern Province and Monaragala District in Uva Province. Yala is a rich hub
for several species of wildlife and is home to a considerable population of
elephants, leopards and reptiles. The Park is rich in birdlife and around 130
species have been recorded. During the north-east monsoon, the lagoons are
visited by thousands of migrating waterfowl, including pintail, garganey,
Eurasian curlew, whimbrel and turn stone, which mix with the residents such as
whistling duck, yellow wattled lapwing, red wattled lapwig and great stone
plover.
Omanthai
Located in the vauniya District in
the Northern Province. life is once again returning to this small town.
paddyfields and lush greenery
surround the area and the constant hustle of vehicles and people going back and
forth provide a new life to the once silent town.
Lahugala
kithulana
This park contains the reservoirs of
lahugala, kihulana and Sengamuwa and is one of Sri Lanka's smallest national
parks. Located in the Eastern Province it is an important habitat of elephants
and endemic birds. Other mammals found here include toque macaques, tufted gray
langurs, sloth bears, golden jackals, leopards and deer among others and it is
also home to a variety of wetland birds. Nearby is the Magul Maha viharaya,
deemed to have been built for the occasion of the marriage of king Kavan Tissa
to Princess Vharamahadevi.
Minneriya
Minneriya National Park
is located in the North Central Province and is designated to protect the
Minneriya catchment area and the surrounding wildlife. The tank is historically
significant, having been built by King Mahasen in Third Century AD. Elephants
are the park's biggest attraction, as it is a dry season feeding ground for elephant
living in the surrounding forests. The
immense `Elephant Gathering' that takes place during August and September.
Udawalawe
Udawalawe lies in the Sabaragarrwwa
and Uva Provinces and is famous for its large elephant population where herds
of elephants can be seen at any given time and day. The park is also famous for
birdlife. Crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk eagle, white-belled sea eagle
and grey-headed fishing eagle are the main raptors found in the park.
panama
Situated 15km south of Arugam Bay
enroute to the Kumana National Park lies Panama village, Intersected with
lagoons, the main attraction of Panama village Is Its paddy fields. The Panama
beach terrain Is distinctly different, It Is a vast desserted sandy landscape
complete with sand dunes and rock boulders all combined to make the landscape
enchanting.
Horton
Plains
Located in the country’s
central plains, this is a protected area that is rich not only in biodiversity but
also in history. The Horton plains are the
had water is three main rivers
mahaveli, Kelani and walawe and is considered the most important watershed in Sri Lanka. Many of the species
found there are endemic to the country, with birds that are also endemic to the
plains themselves. Stone tools dating back to the Balangoda culuture have been
found here. A key attraction of the park is the world’s End a sheer precipice
with an 870m drop.
Lunugam wehera
This is the
immediate catchment of Lunugamwehera Reservoir in the Uva and southern provinces
of Sri Lanka.The park serves as a corridor between the yala protected Area Complex on its east
and Udawalawe National park to its west for eliphent migration between the
areas. it is an improtent habitat of water birds and other mammals.
Arugam Bay
Regardd as one of
the best surf points in Sri lanka. Arugam Bay boasts of many other attraction
such as the Magul Maha Viharaya and the Muhudu Maha Viharaya.for the wildlife
enthusiast, there is the kumana National Park.
Kaudulla
Kaudulla National
park is located in the polonnaruwa Disrrict. Historically kaudulla was one of
the 16 irrigation tanks built by king mahasen. Today it harbours a variety of plant and animal life and is an important
bird sanctury as well. Herds of eliphent may be observed here ,especially in
september when they arrive in search of food and water. Other animals inclued
samber deer, axis deer, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards. Large water birds
such as sports- billed pelican and
lesser adjuant also visit the kaudulla tank.
Somawathiya
A national park designated under the
Mahaweli River Development Project, Somawathiya National Park is rich in both
nature and culture. With a number of fertile villus, it is an important
protected area of the wetland system of the Mahaweli River flood plains. Apart
from a large number of elephants, the park is also home to jackals, fishing
cats, wild boar, water buffalo and leopards. The Somawathiya Chaitya, a stupa
said to contain a relic of the tooth of the Buddha, is situated within the
park.
Kumana
Kumana Bird Sanctuary is well known
for its wild life especially for the migratory birds. Painted storks, herons,
egrets, Indian darters and little cormorants are prominent among these
migratory birds. Black necked stork, one of the rarest birds in Sri Lanka,
could also be seen in this area. Furthermore, deep in the jungle you will find
a cave temple, Bambaragasthalawa and Kumana Village. Kumana village had been in
existance before Panama Village and was relocated in the 1990s. The village was
self sufficient and had cultivated land and fields irrigated by the Kumana
Wewa.
