Nature and Wildlife of Sri Lanka

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Strict Nature Reserves
|| Hakgala || Ritigala || Yala (Block 2) ||

Popular Wildlife National Parks
|| Bu ndala || Gal Oya || Horagolla || Horton Plain s || Kaudulla || Lahugala Kitulana ||
|| Lunugamvehera || Maduru Oya || Minneriya || Pigeons Islan ds || Somawathi ||
|| Udawalawe || Wasgamuwa || Wilpattu || Yala (Ruh una) || Yala-East (Kumana) ||
|| Flood Pla ins || Hikkaduwa (Corals) || Angammedilla ||

Popular Wildlife Sanctuaries
Anawilundawa || Bellanwila Attidiya || Gall Oya-Northeastern || Gall Oya-Southwestern ||
|| Mihinthale || Senanayake Samuddraya || Udawatta Kele || Vankalai ||

Popular Biosphere Reserves / Rainforests and Other
|| Bundala || Hurulu || Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN) || Sinharaja ||
|| Hiyare Reservoir Rainforest || Nilgala Forest Area ||

Sri Lanka had an abundance of wildlife in the 1800s. Villagers used to hunt animals like deer, sambur, buffalo, wild boar etc. for their consumption. However, during the middle of that century, the government found that there was organized poaching by parties that came to the villages from outside and shot these animals including leopards for their skin and deer for antlers and meat, thereby reducing the animal population steadily.

In addition, the Britishers, who lived in this country, also indulged in hunting, which was one of their favourite sports. This further reduced the number of animals.

The government decided to enact, in 1872, an “Ordinance to prevent the wasteful destruction of buffaloes and game throughout the island”. The game included deer, sambur and peafowl.

In 1894, a group of planters formed the Ceylon Game Protection Society. Their main objective was to assist the government to protect wildlife or game as it was then called. The game was only those animals that they hunted.

Their motive in starting this association was also selfish in that it helped to protect the game, which they could later shoot with licences obtained from the government.

They also established Resident Sportsmen’s Reserves, which were solely maintained for hunting by members of the association. Yala and Wilpattu were the first of such reserves. Today these are two of Sri Lanka’s major national parks. Today Sri Lanka has 13% of its land area under protection for fauna and flora.

Depending on their objective, there are different types of protection offered to these areas such as Strict Nature Reserves, National Parks, Nature Reserves, Jungle Corridors and Sanctuaries. They cover all the ecological and climatic regions of the country.

List of Strict Nature Reserves in Sri Lanka

No human activities are allowed in these areas and they are protected as a pure natural ecosystem. Research work is allowed under strict supervision and strict guidelines.

The areas under this classification are

Name	Established	Size (Sq. km)
Name	Date Established	Size (Ha)
Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve	1938.02.05	1,141.60
Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve	1941.11.07	1,528.10
Yala (Block 2) Strict Nature Reserve	1939.03.01	28,904.70

List of National Parks in Sri Lanka

National Parks are the areas allowed for the public to see and study wildlife. However necessary rules and regulations are introduced to ensure the maximum protection of wildlife and their habitats.

The areas under this classification are (based on Department of Wildlife Conservation Web)

Name	Established	Size (Sq. km)	Visitors Allowed
Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park	2015.06.22	189.9
Angammedilla National Park	2006.06.06	75.3	yes
Bundala National Park	1993.01.04	62.2	yes
Chundikulam National Park	2015.06.22	195.7	yes
Delft National Park	2015.06.22	18.5
Floodplains National Park	1984.08.07	173.5
Gal Oya National Park	1954.02.12	259.0	yes
Galwaysland National Park	2006.05.18	0.029	yes
Hikkaduwa National Park	2002.10.08	1.0	yes
Horagolla National Park	2004.07.28	0.013	yes
Horrowpatana National Park	2011.12.06	25.7
Horton plains National Park	1988.03.16	31.6	yes
Kahalla – Pallekale National Park	2017
Kalawewa National Park	2017		yes
Kaudulla National Park	2002.04.01	69.0	yes
Lahugala Kithulana National Park	1980.10.31	15.5	yes
Lunugamwehera National Park	1995.12.08	235.0	yes
Madhu Road National Park	2015.06.22	630.0
Maduru Oya National Park	1983.11.09	588.5
Minneriya National Park	1997.08.12	88.9	yes
Pigeon Island National Park	2003.06.04	4.7	yes
Ruhuna (yala) National Park	1938.02.25	978.8
Somawathiya National Park	1986.09.02	376.5
Udawalawa National Park	1972.06.30	308.2
Ussangoda National Park	2010.05.06	3.5
Wasgamawa National Park	1984.08.07	370.6	yes
Wilpattu National Park	1938.02.25	1316.7	yes
Yala East (Kumana) National Park	1970.01.20	181.5	yes

List of Nature Reserves in Sri Lanka

Wildlife viewing and studying are not allowed in Nature Reserves. However scientific studies are encouraged under supervision. The Major difference in this category compared to Strict Nature Reserve is, in Nature Reserves traditional human activities are allowed to continue. But this right in not transferable.

Name	Established	Size (Sq km)
Minneriya-Giritale – Block 2
Minneriya-Giritale – Block 3
Minneriya-Giritale – Block 4
Nandikadal	24.01.2017	41.42
Nargar Kovil	01.03.2016	78.82
Nayaru	24.01.2017	44.64
Peak Wilderness	25.19.1940	223.79
Riverine
Trikonamadu	1986	25.02
Vedithalativu (Wedithalathive)	01.03.2016	291.80
Vetahirakanda	07.06.2022	32.29

List of Sanctuaries in Sri Lanka

Protection of the habitats and allowing human activities simultaneously done in the sanctuaries. Sanctuaries may include private lands too. Sanctuaries ensure the protection of wildlife which are outside the state land. It is not necessary to obtain a permit to enter into such areas. However, the activities are regulated by the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance (FFPO)

The areas under this classification are (based on Department of Wildlife Conservation Web)

Name	Established	Size (Sq km)
Akurala Wildlife Sanctuary	2017
Anavilindawa Sanctuary	11.06.1997	13.97
Anuradhapura Sanctuary	27.05.1938	35.01
Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary (Welipara)	03.04.1992	306.70
Bellanvila Attidiya Sanctuary	25.07.1990	3.72
Buddangala Sanctuary	01.11.1974	18.41
Bundala-Wilmanna Sanctuary	25.07.1990	33.39
Dahaiyagala Sanctuary	07.06.2002	26.85
Elahera Giritale Sanctuary	13.01.2000	140.35
Elluwila Yaya Sanctuary	11.09.2003	1.86
Galoya -North Eastern Sanctuary	12.02.1954	124.32
Galoya -South East Sanctuary	12.02.1954	152.81
Giant’s Tank Sanctuary	24.09.1954	43.30
Godawaya Sanctuary	25.05.2006	2.32
Great Sober Island Sanctuary	21.061963	0.65
Honduwa Island Sanctuary	19.11.1973	0.09
Kahala Pallekale Sanctuary	01.07.1989	216.90
Kalamatiya Sanctuary	28.06.1984	25.25
Katagamuwa Sanctuary	27.05.1938	10.04
Kataragama Sanctuary	27.05.1938	8.38
Kimbulwana Oya Sanctuary	21.06.1963	4.92
Kirala Kele Sanctuary	08.09.2003	3.10
Kirama Oya Sanctuary	06.10.2004	0.05
Kodigahakanda Sanctuary	03.10.2017	0.1263
Kokilai Sanctuary	18.05.1951	19.95
Kotuattawala Sanctuary (Kotuaththawala)	23.02.2017	0.35
Kuda Ravana Maha Ravana Marine Sanctuary	2017
Kudumbigala-Panama Sanctuary	20.02.2006	65.34
Kurulu Kele (Kegalle) Sanctuary	14.03.1941	1.13
Little Sober Island Sanctuary	21.06.1963	0.07
Madampawila Sanctuary	21.09.2007	12.18
Maduganga Sanctuary	17.07.2006	23.00
Madunagala Sanctuary	30.06.1993	9.95
Maimbulkanda-Nittabuwa Sanctuary	31.10.1972	0.24
Mahakandarawa Wewa Sanctuary	09.12.1966	5.19
Medinduwa Sanctuary	06.06.1980	0.01
Mihintale Sanctuary	27.05.1938	10.00
Muthurajawela block I Sanctuary	31.10.1996	10.29
Muthurajawela block II Sanctuary	31.10.1996	10.29
Naval Headwork Sanctuary	1963
Rekawa Sanctuary
Nimalawa Sanctuary	18.02.1993	10.66
Padaviya Tank Sanctuary	21.06.1963	64.75
Paraitivu Island Sanctuary	18.05.1973	0.97
Paraputuwa Meheni Sanctuary	17.08.1988	1.90
Peak Wilderness Sanctuary	25.10.1940	223.79
Polonnaruwa Sanctuary	27.05.1938	15.22
Rawana ella Sanctuary	18.05.1979	19.32
Rock Islands -Ambalangoda Sanctuary	25.10.1940	0.01
Rumassala Sanctuary	03.01.2003	1.71
Sagaman Sanctuary	21.06.1963	6.16
Senanayake samudraya Sanctuary	12.02.1954	93.24
Seruwila Allei Sanctuary	09.10.1970	155.40
Sigiriya Sanctuary	26.01.1990	50.99
Sri jayawardenapura Sanctuary	09.01.1985	4.49
Tabbowa Sanctuary	19.07.2002	21.93
Thangamale Sanctuary	27.05.1938	1.32
Telwatte Sanctuary	25.02.1938	14.25
Trincomalee Naval base Sanctuary	21.06.1963	181.30
Udawattekale Sanctuary	29.07.1938	1.04
Vankalai Sanctuary	09-09-2008	48.39
Vavunikulam Sanctuary	21.06.1963	48.56
Victoriya randenigala Rantebe Sanctuary	30.01.1987	420.87
Weerawila Tissa Sanctuary	27.05.1938	1.34
Welhilla Katagilla Sanctuary	18.02.1949	1.34
Welipara Sanctuary	03.04.1992	30,67
Willpattu north Sanctuary	25.02.1938	6.32
Wilmanna Sanctuary	06.2006	33.39
Yodha wewa Sanctuary	24.09.1954	43.30ba

Articles on Sri Lankan Wildlife

001 | Bears and Buffaloes of Sri Lanka

002 | Birds of Pray of Sri Lanka

003 | Butterflies of Sri Lanka

004 | Crocodiles in Sri Lanka

005 | Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka

006 | Forests and Other Vegetation Types of Sri Lanka

007 | Fresh Water Fishes of Sri Lanka

008 | History and Culture of Elephants in Sri Lanka

009 | Kingfishers of Sri Lanka

010 | Marine Mammals in the Seas of Sri Lanka

011 | Nocturnal Animals

012 | Pangolins and Porcupines of Sri Lanka

013 | Parrots of Sri Lanka

014 | Reptiles of Sri Lanka

015 | Sambur, Three Deer and Another

016 | Snakes in Sri Lanka

017 | Squirrels of Sri Lanka

018 | Sri Lanka's Biodiversity

019 | The Unspeakable in Pursuit of the Uneatable

020 | Turtles and Tortoises of Sri Lanka

021 | Wetlands, Swamps and Mangroves

022 | Wild and Feral Buffaloes of Wild Sri Lanka

023 | Wild Cats of Sri Lanka

024 | Woodpeckers of Sri Lanka

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Allekattu Gal Amuna across Kalaru River (කල්ආරු හරහා අල්ලෙකට්ටු ගල් අමුණ)
Parker in 1909 describes an ancient amuna known as "Allekattu" in Tamil, located across the Kalaru River, which originates from the Pavatkulama Wewa reservoir and serves as one of the main tributaries to the Malwathu Oya in the Northern Province. The dam is situated approximately 2 miles (about 3 km) upstream from the Kalaru bridge on the Mannar-Medawachchiya road. Brohier refers to this weir as "Allekattu Tekkam." […]
Degaldoruwa Pitiye Devale (දෙගල්දෝරුව පිටියේ දේවාලය)
Pitiye Deviyo is a powerful protector deity of Dumbara who had once defeated the deity Natha Deviyo who had fled in fear of him after a brief battle. The people of Dumbara fear and respect him as he is believed to protect the land, the crops, and the people who live in the area. He provides the rain on time for cultivation and dry weather for harvesting. […]
Tissamaharama Uduvila Gangarama Viharaya (තිස්සමහාරාම උඩුවිල ගංගාරාම විහාරය)
Despite the Uduvila Gangarama Viharaya temple's recent developments, there are still a few relics of the monastic complex from the Pre-Christian era. Near the stupa, you'll find a cluster of undressed stone pillars that once supported an ancient building. Additionally, the top portion of a massive Yupa Gala, and Gal Chatra is found nearby […]
Archaeological Ruins at Tissamaharama Poththewelagala Aranya Senasanaya (පොත්තේවෙලගල ආරණ්‍ය සේනාසනය)
The Poththewelagala Ruins are located in a scrub jungle, 2 kilometers southeast of Tissamaharama. The site can be reached from a gravel road 3.3 km down the Kirinda-Sithulpawwa Road. A black archaeology board by the roadside marks the direction of this gravel road. After driving 1 kilometre along this road and passing a model village, you will arrive at the ruins. […]
Tissamaharama Uddhakandara Rajamaha Viharaya (උද්ධකන්දර රජමහා විහාරය)
Uddhakandara Rajamaha Viharaya is a new temple in Tissamaharama built on an ancient monastic site going back to the pre-Christian era. The original temple is believed to have been built by regional king Mahanaga, the brother of King Devanmpiyatissa (250-210 BCE) who fled the Anuradhapura kingdom. […]
Thambarawa Wewa & Pre Historic Burial Site (තඹරව වැව හා ප්‍රාග් ඓතිහාසික සුසාන භූමිය)
Thambarawa is a small ancient reservoir situated 8 km southeast of Tissa, on the western border of the Yala National Park. The area is partly paddy fields and covered in forest on the southern side. The reservoir was restored for the last time in 2023. The bund of the Thambarawa Wewa is 640 meters long with spills on both sides of the bund. […]
Handapangala Wewa Reservoir (හඳපානාගල වැව ජලාශය)
Handapangala Wewa is a picturesque and peaceful haven located in the Wellawaya area popular among the travellers and photographers for the abundant elephants in the area especially during the dry season. The bund of the Handapanagala Wewa is 3600 feet (1.1 km) long and 19 feet (5.8 m) high. At full capacity, the water covers 450 acres and holds 5000 acre feet. […]
Empilipitiya Chandrika Wewa Reservoir (ඇඹිලිපිටිය චන්ද්‍රිකා වැව ජලාශය)
Empilipitiya Chandrika Wewa Reservoir, located in the Ratnapura District bordering Hambanthota District, is one of the largest reservoirs constructed after Ceylon gained independence. Chandrika wewa today is a magnet for the tourists and pilgrims to Kataragama seeking the scenic route rather than than the Southern Expressway. […]
Udawalawe Reservoir and the Dam (උඩවලවේ ජලාශය සහ වේල්ල)
The Udawalawe Reservoir, located in the Ratnapura and Hambantota Districts of Sri Lanka, is one of the country's largest and most significant water bodies. It was constructed in 1963, primarily to support agriculture and irrigation in the surrounding regions, which include Udawalawe, Embilipitiya, and Hambantota. […]
Hurulu Wewa Reservoir (හුරුළු වැව)
Hurulu Wewa ancient reservoir, originally known as Challura Vapi, was one of sixteen reservoirs constructed by King Mahasen, the renowned Sinhalese monarch who ruled over Lanka from 276 to 303 CE. The reservoir lies on Yan Oya in the remote village of Yakalla, between Anuradhapura and Habarana off Ritigala. […]
List of Adhigars of the Kandyan Kingdom (උඩරට රාජධානියේ අධිකාරම්වරු)
The title of Adhigar (Adigar) in the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka referred to a high-ranking official or noble who held significant administrative and judicial authority. In Sinhala, he is called the Adhikaram. The position was one of the most powerful in the Kandyan court, second only to the king himself. Adhigars were entrusted with overseeing various aspects of governance, including implementing laws, administering justice, and managing royal affairs. […]
Diyawadana Nilames of Kandy Dalada Maligawa
Diyawadana Nilame’ has the custody of the key to the first casket out of the seven golden caskets where the Sacred Tooth Relic is enshrined, as he is the lay custodian of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This position is recorded in the ‘Dathuwansa’, the chronicle of tooth relic, as ‘Dhathurakkadikari’. […]
Wendaruwa Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya (වෙඬරුව කිරිවෙහෙර රජමහා විහාරය)
The image house of Wendaruwa Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya is a rectangular Kandyan-style building with a verandah supported by 16 evenly spaced wooden pillars. The pillars are carved with alternating square and cylindrical sections, though these sections are plain and lack any decorative design. The pillars rest on a wooden frame constructed with large wooden beams placed atop the half-height outer wall of the image house. […]
Dimbulagala Dewagala Archaeological Ruins (දේවගල පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)
These ruins are scattered across a rocky hill that stretches approximately 800 meters from north to south. The hill is surrounded on all sides by farmland. An irrigation canal and a paved road run along the eastern slope, making the western slopes the most accessible route to approach the rock by a vehicle. […]
Weligama Rajakulawadana Rajamaha Viharaya (වැලිගම රාජකුලවඩන රජමහා විහාරය)
Rajakulawadana Rajamaha Viharaya in Weligama lies just 250 meters east of the more well-known Agrabodhi Rajamaha Viharaya. This temple is also referred to as Weligamgane or Galgane Viharaya. In ancient times, these two temples were one. During the time of Queen Kalyanavati, a Rajakulawadana Pirivena (monastic college) was established at Weligamgane Viharaya. […]
Weligama Agrabodhi Rajamaha Viharaya (වැලිගම අග්‍රබෝධි රජමහා විහාරය)
An ancient temple which dates back to times of King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC). According the Bodhivamsa, the chronicle of the Holy Bodhi Tree, the very first of the Bodhi saplings out of the first thirty two saplings from the Sacred Sri Maha Bodhi was planted on this temple grounds during the time of King Devanampiyatissa. […]
Omalpe Purana Tampita Viharaya
The Tampita Viharaya at the Omalpe Purana Viharaya is similar in structure of the Walalgoda Tampita Viharaya which lies few kilometers away. The structure is built on nine 6 feet 6 six inch high granite stumps. The lower area is built as a ground floor creating a two storied building. The complete structure is house is 65 feet 7 inches long and 40 feet 8 inches wide. […]
Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya (දාපනේ ටැම්පිට විහාරය)
Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Viharaya is an ancient temple with a Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan era. This temple lie 8 km from Urubokka and 9 km from Kella junction on the Suriyakanda - Empilipitiya road. […]
Handagala Kanda Ancient Cave Temple (හඳගලකන්ද ලෙන් විහාරය)
A lesser known place that lay mostly in ruins today is situated in a serene forest-clad area in a village called Ratmalgahawewa 22 miles north-east of Anuradhapura. This sacred site called Handagala cave temple could be reached by proceeding about two miles from Ratmalgahawewa junction on the Kebitigollewa road and continuing westwards for another two miles. […]
Fort Ostenburg at Trincomalee (ඔස්ටන්බර්ග් බලකොටුව)
Fort Ostenburg is believed to be the fort buit by King Rajasinghe II who ruled this country for 52 years (1635-1687) to attack the Portuguese at Fort Fedrick. […]
Fort Fredrick at Trincomalee (ත්‍රිකුණාමලය බලකොටුව)
Fort Fredrick is a fort built by Portuguese at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka in 1624. It is said to built from the debris of an ancient Hindu temple that was destroyed by the Portuguese. […]
Batticaloa Fort (මඩකලපුව බලකොටුව)
The Fort in Batticaloa lies on a one of the many small islands of Batticaloa in the east coast of Sri Lanka. It was built by the Portuguese in 1628 after a Dutch fleet landed in Batticaloa in 1603 with a fleet of six ships to take part in a joint effort to oust the Portuguese from the island after an initial agreement with then King of Kandy. This infuriated the Portuguese who had a firm holding in the Island and built a small fort 1628. […]
Arippu Fort in Mannar (මන්නාරමේ අරිප්පු බලකොටුව)
Arippu Fort is a small two bastion fort built by the Portuguese just before the causeway at Arippu. This fort was handed over to the Dutch in 1658 after the fall of Mannar. This fort again changed hands to the British. […]
Dutch Fort of Galle (ගාල්ල කොටුව)
The Dutch Galle Fort is a rare historical jewel protected by dark, thick stone walls - with the endless ocean on one side. […]
Negombo Fort : Exploring the Historic Legacy of the Colonial Past
The Portuguese fort that stood where the current Negombo Fort is situated was mostly destroyed by cannon during the Dutch siege in 1644. The Dutch fort was built on its ruins, not on the usual square pattern, but on a pentagonal one, though it had only four bulwarks. The fifth one was never bui […]
Jaffna Fort (යාපනය බලකොටුව)
Situated on the south side of the Jaffna peninsula at the water’s edge of the lagoon, the ancient Jaffna Fort is the second largest existing fort in the Island. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1619 and re-built and expanded by the Dutch during the second half of the 17th and the 18th centuries. […]