Somawathi National Park (සෝමාවතී ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය)

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Size	37,645.5 hectares
Main attractions	Large herds of Elephants, Deer, wild boars, bears, Birds and Fish

Somawathi National Park is one of four national parks established under the Mahaweli River Development Project. The other parks created under this initiative are Maduru Oya National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, and Flood Plains National Park.

The park extends across the Eastern and North Central provinces within the deltaic plain of the Mahaweli River. Originally declared the Somawathi Sanctuary, the area was upgraded to national park status on 2 September 1986. Today it spans two administrative districts: Polonnaruwa District and Trincomalee District.

Ecological Importance

The park protects a distinctive ecosystem composed of riverine villus (natural floodplain wetlands) and extensive floodplains formed by the Mahaweli River. These habitats support a significant population of Asian elephant, making the park an important refuge for elephants in Sri Lanka. Together with the adjoining Flood Plains National Park, it forms a large protected landscape crucial for elephant movement and survival.

Although parts of the region were heavily exploited in the past, the abundance of water and the high ecological productivity of the villus enable rapid natural regeneration once human activity is reduced. Both parks are also important habitats for migratory and resident waterfowl.

Conservation Challenges

At one stage the park faced a serious conservation threat when large tracts of land within the protected area were allocated for commercial banana cultivation by Dole Lanka, part of the multinational Dole Plc. Following strong opposition from environmental and wildlife protection organizations, these operations were eventually halted in 2011.

Cultural Significance

The park is also famous for the sacred Somawathi Stupa, which according to tradition enshrines the left tooth relic of the Gautama Buddha. This ancient stupa attracts pilgrims from across the country and forms the spiritual centre of the protected area.

Visiting the Somawathi National Park : Ticket Prices / Entrance Fees

Unlike many protected areas in the country, Somawathi National Park does not currently charge an entrance fee for either local or foreign visitors. The park is relatively open and minimally regulated. While it lacks extensive safari tracks for wildlife viewing, a concrete road leads directly to the historic Somawathi Temple, which is the main destination for most visitors.

References

Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. pp.95-97.

Also See

Map of Travel Directions to Somawathi National Park and Other Places of Interest

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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 of Somawathi National Park.

The park can be reached from Polonnaruwa or 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 kilometres.

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

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