Ruhunu (Yala) National Park

Yala is renowned for the variety of its wildlife, largely characteristic of dry zone tropical thorn forest, and its fine coastline and associated coral reefs. Large number of important cultural ruins bear testimony to earlier civilization and indicate that much of the area was populated and well developed, with irrigation system supplying water to the surrounding paddy fields, including those of Yala.
Location
The Ruhuna (Yala) National Park is located in the south eastern region of Sri Lanka and extends over two provinces and two administrative districts as follows;

• Nothern, north western and western areas of the park lie in Monaragala district in Uva Province.
• South western and southern areas in Hambantota district in Southern Province.
• Part of the southern and the whole of the eastern and north eastern boundaries lie along the Indian Ocean.

Access
There are three regular routes from Colombo, viz

1. Along the coast via Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Tissamaharama(Approximately 293Km)
2. via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Embilipitiya, Hambantota and Tissamaharama (Approximately 284Km)
3. via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla Uda Walawe, Tanamalwila and Tissamaharama (Apprximately 235Km)

There is only one entrance to the park. The turn off being along the road between Tissamaharam and Kirinda. The park office is situated at Palatupana, 12Km from the turn off, where a permit and a guide should be obtained before enterning the park.
Physical Features
The park comprises coastal plain with a number of scattered inselbergs, associated with which are a number of caves and kema 9pools). There are also several fresh water lakes and brackish lagoons, described elsewhere. The eastern boundary, formed by the sea, is marked by sand dunes of up to 30m high and broad sandy beaches. Its altitude ranges from sea level to 90m high inselbergs. The area of the park is 97,881ha in entirely, but only 14,011ha (Block I) used for tourism.
Climate
The park lies in a transition zone between the single wet season experienced on the coast and the double peak of precipitation found along the south coast of the island. Mean annual rainfall varies between approximately 900mm in the south to 1300mm in the north, with an extensive period of drought from May to September. Mean annual temperature is 27 C.
Date and History of Establishment
Park consists of five blocks. Block I was established on 25th February 1938, Block II on 3rd September 1954, Block III on 28th April 1967 Block IV on 9th October 1969 and Block Von 5th October 1973.
Vegetation
Comprises secondary forest, possibly a few hundred years old at the most. It is predominantly semi-arid thorn scrub, interspersed with pockets of fairly dense forest.
Fauna
A total of 32 species of mammals has been recorde. Threatened species are sloth bear Melursus ursinus, leopard Panthera pardus kotiya, elephant Elephas maximus and water buffalo Bubalus bubalis. although the water buffalo is indigenous to Sri Lanka, it is likely the most populations contain some genetic input from domestic stock or are descended from feral stock. Wild boar Sus scrofa, spotted deer Axix axis ceylonensis, sambar Cervus unicolor and golden jackal Canis aureus are also present.
The avifauna comprised some 120-130 species. Raptors include Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela speliogaster and White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster. many water birds are attracted to the lagoons, including Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor, Pelican Pelecanus sp., spoonbill Platalea leucorodia leucorodia, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus asiaticus, of which there are perhaps only a dozen in the country Grey Heron Ardea cinera cinera, Purple heron A. purpurea manilensis, Night Heron Nycticorax sp., Egret sp., Purple Coot Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus and Darter Anhinga melanogaster. During the north-east monsoon the lagoons are visited by thousands of migrating waterfowl, including ducks, terns and gulls.
Notable reptiles are  Mugger Crocodylus palustris, which is abundant in the anandoned tanks, estuarine crocodile C. porosus, found in the main rivers, and common monitor Varanus bengalensis. Other reptiles include Cobra Naja naja and Russel's Viper Daboia russellii. A variety of sea turtle Chelonia mydas, Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea and Leatherback Dermochelys coricea, of which the Yala coatline is a major nesting ground.
The lagoon fauna includes various species of prawns, crabs and fishes.
Visitors and visitor facilities
In Block I the main area of visitors, there are six wildlife bungalows located at Mahasilawa, Buttuwa, Patanangala, Yala, Heenwewa and Talgasmankada. Two camp sites at Jamburagala and Kosgasmankada are available for visitors. There is a museum at the park office.
Hotels
Tissamaharama        Priyankara Hotels (Pvt) Ltd.
                                Tissamaharama Rest House
                                Yala Safari Beach Hotel
                                Browns Safari Beach Hotel
                                Chandrika Guest House
                                Flamingo Bundala Safari Guest House
                                Hotel Tissa
                                Lakeside Tourist Inn
                                New Queens Rest House
                                Singha Tourist Inn
                                Tissa Inn
                                Tissa Village Inn
Hambantota              Peacock Beach Hotel
                                The Oasis Hotel

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