Kumana National Park (Yala-East) – කුමණ ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය

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This is a separate national park from the Yala (Ruhuna) National Park but joined to Yala on the west side by the Block 2 Strict Nature Reserve. Kumana villu is a well-known nesting site for various species of herons, storks and also pelicans and a host of other water birds. Earlier Kumana had a village, whose residents were shifted to the Mahaweli project area.

The park lies on the southeast coast in the Eastern province, 7 miles/12 km south of Arugam Bay, and is accessible from the Wellawaya – Pottuvil road. From Pottuvil, you need to travel across Panama, an ancient Sinhalese village amidst the elephant infested jungle. Close to the park entrance lies Okanda Devalaya, the main gathering point of Padayatra before entering the jungles of Yala

At the base of most rock outcrops are caves, some with rock inscriptions of the 1st and 2nd centuries BC. A nine-meter stature of the reclining Buddha, now in ruins, was discovered in a large cave at Bambaragastalawa. Bowattagala is an ancient monastic site. Kudumbigala and Lenama, peripheral to the park, were once the hunting grounds of Nittawo, legendary pygmies (or dwarf ape men)  who were sworn enemies of the Veddhas, the abiogenies of Sri Lanka.

Kumana National Park Ticket Prices

for example, for 2 foreigners with 1 child between 6-12 will have the cost of

Payments can be paid in USD or equivalent LKR by foreigners. You can call 1919 (government information center) for the latest ticket prices. If you are hiring a private safari Jeep, the prices vary from LKR 11,000-15,000 for half day (4 hours) based on the park. For a full day, its double the cost of a half day.

Accommodation

This park is at present rarely visited. It has two bungalows, one at Okanda, near the park entrance, and the other by the waterhole at Thunmulla. A campsite is situated on the banks of the Kumbbukkan Oya at Kumana. A boat is available for hire at Kumana Villu.

There is no places to stay outside the park. However you could find decent places to stay in Arugam Bay. There are few hideaways in Panama area too.

Also See

• Nature and Wildlife in Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of  Kumana National Park  (Yala-East) and Other Places of Interest

Travel Directions to Kumana National Park  (Yala-East)

There are two routes from Colombo. They fork off at Pelmadulla and meet again at Wellawaya, one going via Beragala and Koslanda and the other via Thimbolketiya, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila. From Wellawaya the road goes through Moneragala, Pottuvil and Panama. There is only one entrance to the park from Panama, through the Kudumbigala Sanctuary. The park office is situated at Okande, where a permit and guide should be obtained before entry. The distance from Colombo is approximately 243 miles/350 km.