Wasgomuwa is unusual in its virtual lack of contemporary human disturbance and infrastructure, and its importance as a centre of ancient Sri Lankan culture. Being isolated by large rivers on all but its southern side is a major advantage for management. The park probably contains more wildlife, in terms of both diversity of wild fauna and flora.
Location
Approximately 50Km northeast of Kandy in Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts, the park spans North Central and Central Provinces. The eastern boundary is defined by the Mahaweli ganga, the western and northern boundaries by the Amban ganga and southern boundary is formed, for the most part by the Duniwila Oya. The nearest large town is Polonnaruwa.
Access
Turn off at Hasalaka on the Kandy-Mahiyangana road and proceed via Wilgamuwa upto Wasgomuwa. Visitors from Matale and Polonnaruwa areas can reach Wasgomuwa via Laggala and Wilgamuwa. The distance from Colombo to Wasgomuwa is 225Km.
The area ranges from about 76m along the Mahaweli ganga to 535m at the top of Sudukanda range. Total area is over 39,322ha. The park is contiguous to the Riverine Nature Reserve (920.6ha) on the right bank of the Mahaweli ganga. Climatic conditions are fairly typical of the dry zone. Inter monsoon rains occur in March-May.
The most important cultural site is Buduruwayaya in the south west corner, near the confluence of the Amban and Kalu rivers. These ruins, estimated to be 1800 years old, feature a statue of Buddha reclining and stone pillars. Another reclining Buddha statue is found immediately across Amban ganga, outside the western park boundary. The canal known as Kalinga Yodha Ela was constructed by King Parakrama in the twelfth century shows an evidence of an ancient irrigation system. A ruined place with stone pillars, located on an island in Kalinga river, is particularly important cultural site.
The known fauna comprises 23 species of mammals, 143 species of birds (of which five are of endemic to Sri Lanka), 35 species of reptiles (of which seven are endemic), 15 species of amphibians, 17 species of fish and 52 species of butterflies. A population of around 150 elephants (Elephas maximus), leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), golden jackal (Canis aureus), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), slender loris (Loris tardigradus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonensis), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), sambar (Cervus unicolor), black-naped hare (Lepus nigricollis), fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).
Visitors and Visitor facilities
There are three wildlife bungalows within the park. They are Kadurupitiya, Mahaweli and Wawul Ebe, and two bungalows outside the park i.e. Gale Bungalow and Angammedille. There are five camp sites for nature lovers to enjoy the natural environment i.e. Mahaweli ganga I & II, Medapitiya, Ulpath Hatha and Wawul Ebe. Adequate facilities for accommodation are available outside the park, with guesthouses and hotels in Polonnaruwa, Giritale and Habarana and economical rest houses in Mahiyangana and Pallegama.
