Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is among the oldest and most important of protected areas in Sri Lanka. Its flora and fauna are representative of the dry lowland zone. It also contains a number of cultural sites.

Location

Lies on the northwest coast, 30Km due west of Anuradhapura, and spans the border between North Western Province and North Central Province.

Access

Access from Colombo would be via Negombo, chilaw and Puttalam. The turn off is at the little hamlet of Thimbiriwewa on the 28th mile post along the Puttalam-Anuradhapura road. The park office, where one obtains permit and a guide is at Hunuwilagama, 8Km from the turn off.

The main topographical feature in this park is the concentration of “villus” or “lakes” within it. The western sector of the park with deeply forested areas and thorny bushes in reminiscent of Yala National Park in the southern Sri Lanka. Wilpattu National Park ranges from sea level to 152m and area of the park is 131,693ha.

Mean annual temperature is 27.2oC and total annual precipitation is approximately 1,000mm.

Much legend and history is associated with the park and its immediate surroundings. Vijaya landed at Kudiramalai in 543 BC and founded the Sinhalese race. Vijaya married Kuveni, the jungle princess, whose place lies in ruins at Kali villu. Some 2000 years ago Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu, have lived with his forest bride of low caste, Asoka mala. Kudiramalai, or Horse Point, was visited by a subject of Emperor Cladius in 47 AD. The place of Queen Alirani, or Aliserrani is reputed toile buried at Kudiramalai. Pomparippu is an archaeological site where sealed urns containing human remains have been found. These burials were probably in pre-Vijayan times. There are engraved stone boundary posts from ancient Sinhalese times at Konwetiya and elsewhere. Between Palagaturai and Kollankanatte are the remains of an old harbour. The ruins of an ancient Hindu temple site on the top of Kudiramalai point. Nearby, on the beach lies the grave of a Muslim saint. The old Catholic church at Pallakandal is visited by several thousand pilgrims for the annual festival. In the eastern part there are remnants of breached tanks left over from the agricultural systems of ancient Sinhalese civilizations.

Some 73% of the park is dense forest or scrub and the rest is more open habitat. Mammalian diversity and ecological densities are highest in such ecotones as the interface between forest, scrub and grasslands converge in the west and the “villus” and drainage systems in the center of the park. A total of 31 species of mammals have been recorded. The “villus” supports a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl, including large breeding populations of painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) and open bill (Anastomus oscitans). Other water birds also can be seen easily and specially in migratory season lot of migratory birds abundant in water bodies and forested areas. Few species of raptors around and nesting sites also can be observed during a visit. Among the most conspicuous reptiles are common monitor (Varanus bengalensis), mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), common cobra (Naja naja), rat snake (Ptyas mucosus) an Indian python (Python molurus).

Visitors and Visitor facilities

There are seven lodges/circuit bungalows; Maradamaduwa, Pannikar villu, Kalli villu, Mena vila, Thala vila, Manikapola Uttu and Kokmottai. All overlook villus except the last which is by the Modaragam Aru. Most of these are closed toward the end of dry season in August-September. There is a good network of gravel roads, particularly between water holes. A museum is situated Hunuwilagama. Good hotel facilities are available in Anuradhapura 30Km away from Wilpattu National Park.

Wasgomuwa National Park

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.