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| Size | 37,645.5 hectares |
| Main attractions | Large herds of Elephants, Deer, Wild boar, Bear, Birds and Fish |
The Somawathi National Park is one of the four national parks set aside under the Mahaweli River development project. The other three national parks being Maduru Oya, Wasgamuwa and Flood plains. The park spans the Eastern and North Central provinces in the deltoid plain of the Mahaweli River.
It affords protection to a unique habitat, i.e. riverine villus and flood plains, as well as to a large concentration of elephants in the country, in conjunction with the adjacent Flood Plains National Park.
Although the area has been heavily exploited, regeneration will be rapid once human activity is phased out because of the abundance of moisture and high carrying capacity of the villus. Both parks are vital for migratory and resident waterfowl.
Currently the Somawathi National Park is under threat due to the government providing large land blocks belonging to the park for private large scale banana cultivations and development of public road networks through the park.
The park is most popular for the Somawathi Stupa which houses the left tooth relic of Buddha.
Somawathi National Park Ticket Prices (Entrance Fees)
Currently there is no fee levied to enter Somawathi National Park. You can call 1919 (government information center) for the latest updates on prices.
Also See
Map of Travel Directions to Somawathi National Park and Other Places of Interest
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
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Travel Directions to Somawathi National Park
Sungawila is the last town and border village you come across on the route to Somawathi. After this town you come to the entrance ofSomawathi National Park.
The park can be reached from Polonnaruwa or from Minneriya. Coming from Minneriya, you have to pass the Higurakgoda town to reach Sungawila. From Polonnaruwa, you need to turn at the Hospital Junction (between Polonnaruwa and Kaduruwela towns). The distance to the stupa from both these towns (Minneriya and Polonnaruwa) is about 40 kilometers.
| Route from Colombo to Somawathi National Park | Route from Polonnaruwa to Somawathi National Park |
| Though : Ja Ela – Kurunegala – Dambulla – Habarana – Minneriya – Hingurakgoda – Sungavila distance :250 km Travel time : 5-6 hours. Driving directions : see on google map | Though : Sungavila distance :40 km Travel time : 1.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map |