Mahaweli Flood Plains National Park (මහවැලි ජලගැලුම් නිම්න ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය)

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Size	17,350 hectares
Main attractions	Birds, Elephants and other wildlife

Established in 1984 under the Mahaweli Project, Flood Plains National Park in Polonnaruwa features vital villu wetlands. It serves as a crucial elephant migration corridor between Wasgamuwa and Somāwathiya parks while hosting an ancient cave monastery dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

The Flood Plains National Park was established in 1984 as one of the four national parks created under the Mahaweli Project. The park extends across the Mahaweli Gaṅgā within the Polonnaruwa District of the North Central Province. The town of Manampitiya, located just beyond the park’s eastern boundary, serves as an important stop along both the Batticaloa–Polonnaruwa road and the railway line that passes through the park.

Flood Plains National Park plays a central role in maintaining the ecological integrity of the Mahaweli protected area network, owing both to its distinctive villu wetlands and its function as a wildlife migration corridor linking the grazing grounds of Wasgamuwa and Somāwathiya Cetiya National Parks.

The park is particularly important for the long-term survival of elephants within the Mahaweli catchment region. It functions as a vital elephant corridor connecting Wasgamuwa and Somāwathiya National Parks, facilitating seasonal movement between these protected landscapes. Together with the adjoining Somāwathiya Cetiya National Park, it also provides an important refuge for a diverse range of resident and migratory waterfowl species.

Cultural Heritage

This section of the Mahaweli Gaṅgā was closely connected to the ancient irrigation network that once functioned throughout the surrounding region. On the right bank of the river, at the edge of Mutugalla Villu, are the ruins of an ancient cave monastery containing inscriptions dated between the 2nd and 7th centuries BCE.

Flood Plains National Park Ticket Prices (Entrance Fees)

Currently, there is no fee levied to enter Flood Plains National Park. You can call 1919 (government information center) for the latest updates on prices.

Also See

Map of Flood Plains National Park and Other Places of Interest

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Travel Directions to Flood Plains National Park

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Central Highway—Kurunegala—Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.

Route from Colombo to Floodplains National Park (Manampitiya Bridge)

Though : Kaduruwela
Distance : 10 km
Travel time : 15 mins
Driving directions : see on Google Maps.

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