Wilpattu National Park is situated between Puttalam and Anuradhapura. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1905. Later it was lifted to the status of National Wildlife Park on 25th February 1938. The northern area of Wilpattu was declared as Wilpattu North Sanctuary on the 7th of November 1947.
About the destination
Wilpattu is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka. It has an area of about 131,693 hectares with an altitude of 152 meters. There are over 50 wetlands named as “Villu”. This is the most prominent topographical feature of the national park. These are shallow natural lakes filled with rainwater and surrounded by open grassy plains. The main rainy season is from September to December and the inter monsoon season is between March and April.
Wildlife in Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park has various types of habitats. There are various types of species up to 31 mammals. The most common mammals here are leopards and sloth bears. There are also Asian elephants, spotted deers, barking deers, jackals, sambhur, barking deers, mouse deers, wild pigs, and mugger crocodiles.
There are butterflies such as the Glad-eye Bushbrown, Great Eggfly, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose Great Orange Tip, Blue Mormon, Common Rose, and Crimson Rose. Various types of birds and reptiles also can be found in this place.
Reaching the destination
From Colombo
Go on McCallum Road. Continue straight onto Colombo – Katunayake Expressway and take the Puttalam exit. Merge onto Chilaw – Colombo Main Road and turn left at Chenakudiyiruppy Junction onto Villu Road. Turn left onto Wilpattu Sanctuary Road to reach your destination.
From Anuradhapura
Go on the D S Senanayake Mawatha to Jayanthi Mawatha, Puttalam – Anuradhapura – Trincomalee Highway
Then go on the Puttalam – Anuradhapura – Trincomalee Highway to Wilpattu Sanctuary Road in Pahala Maragahawewa. Then go on the Wilpattu Sanctuary Road to your destination.
