Significant Locations Of Interest

Galoya National Park is situated in the eastern part of Sri Lanka and is an ecological destination and a national park centered around the Senanayaka Samudra Reservoir the largest inland body of water in Sri Lanka . Galoya is a great place for bird watching, nature expeditions and elephant sightings. The National Park lies south-east of the country in the Eastern and Uva Provinces. In addition to the national park, three sanctuaries were declared to protect the catchment area of this tank.

They are

Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, Gal Oya Valley North-East Sanctuary and Gal Oya Valley South-West Sanctuary. Together these reserves and the national park cover approx 63,000 ha of land. The park and the three sanctuaries were established by the Gal Oya Development Board on the 12th of February 1954 and subsequently handed over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1965.

Gal Oya is a valley, which has given refuge to several kings in the ancient past. In the 2nd Century BC, King Tissa sought refuge at the Digavapi, a place Lord Buddha visited in his third visit to Sri Lanka. The Digavapi Dagoba, built in the 2nd Century BC to mark the spot where the Lord Buddha sat on his last visit to Sri Lanka, attracts thousands of pilgrims even today.

About 45% of the vegetation is evergreen forest, 33% savanna, 09% grassland, 02% cheina cultivations and the balance is water bodies dominated by the Senanayake Samudraya. A host of medicinal shrubs and trees such as Aralu, Bulu, Nelli can be readily found in the Nilgala area, while a number of locally known trees such as Vevarana, Halmilla, Veera, Palu, Ebony and Mahogany are found in great numbers. The park with its thick green canopy is a haven for species of birds and nearer to the Samudraya even migratory birds such as painted storks, pelicans, cormorants and teals could be seen. A host of local birds such as the Grey Dove, Malabar Horn Bill and Grey Horn Bill, Koel and a number of water birds are found in this jungle habitat. In addition to elephants, the park is home to leopards, bear, spotted deer, sambur, wild boar etc. Among other fauna are several species of monkeys, porcupine, a number of fish species, reptiles and four species of butterflies such as the Crimson Rose and Glassy Tiger have also been recorded.

Located in Tangalle, ‘Hummanaya' is reputed to be as the second largest blowhole in the world. A visit to the Hummanaya also gives you an opportunity to take a dip in the sea and relax by the beautiful Tangalle Beach. The ocean water flows underneath the shore, and then comes out of this hole due to pressure. Water shoots up every minute or so, and it gives a very serene feeling.

Rekawa offers visitors the opportunity to watch sea turtles. It is among the top 10 eco-friendly destinations named by the online travel community IgoUgo.

The beach at Rekawa village, 10kms east of Tangalle Bay Beach, is home to one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world. At Rekawa, five of the seven species of sea turtles comes to nest, with the most popular being the green turtle. These species of sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand here every night throughout the year.

The best time to see turtles is between January and April, during the Full Moon period. A Fullish Moon too are good throughout the year, because there are both more turtles & more light to see them by. Rekawa has recorded 23 turtles in one night.

Kanniya hot wells have seven hot wells. The water temperature varies among the wells. The place is located in Kanniya, 07 kms away from Trincomalee Town. It is also 1km inside from the main road of Anuradhapura to Trincomalee. People believe that bathing in these wells will refresh and give them good health.

The Ranmasu Uyana, one of the ancient Royal parks located below the bund of Tissavapi or Tissa Vewa is strictly reserved for the members of the royal family. The city's rulers constructed large lakes to irrigate paddy lands and also to supply water to the city. Nuwara Vewa and Tissa Vewa number among the best known lakes in the city.

Anuradhapura 's Heritage Park will extend from Ranmasu Uyana (water-garden) to Isurumuniya, Vessagiriya and Dakkina Stupa but with no intrusive developments, only landscaping of the area and cleaning up of the natural ponds. “These will be beautiful parks where people will be able to spend time reflecting or even meditating while looking on the skills of crafts people at work or children painting, away from the hustle and bustle. Most tourists will pay a lot for such special memories,” for sure. In Polonnaruwa, the park will cover the Nissanka Palace and water garden, Pollonnaruwa Rest House and museum. A bird park will be set up by the old rest house road and the two islands in the Parakrama Samudra developed so that people can go there by boat.

Famous for its carved wooden work, this ancient place is dedicated to the God Katharagama. This temple is famed for its carved wooden pillars with intricate designs. The pillars leap to life with dancers, musicians, wrestlers, legendary beasts and birds.

Nearby are the ruins of an ancient Rest House with similar pillars carved in stone. All the above described monuments belong to the 14th Century BC.

The Parakrama Samudra is the largest irrigation tank of Great King Parakramabahu I. The huge lake upon whose north-eastern shore Polonnaruwa rests is an inland sea known as the Parakrama Samudra. It was the life-blood of the ancient city in the same way that it is the life-blood of the religion today, providing water for the growth of thirsty rice crops and other food stuffs. Its 5,600 acres of water irrigated an estimated 18,200 acres of paddy land. Five minor lakes were incorporated in the building of the Parakrama Samudra, whose 8 1/2- mile bund contains 4 1/2 million cubic yards of earth. One thousand men employed in the hand labour of the period, working 24 hours a day, could scarcely have completed the job in 12 years time.

Trincomalee is famed for its world famous natural harbour. Once, described by Admiral Lord Nelson as the finest harbour in the world when he visited aboard HMS Seashore in 1770, it is ranked as the world's Fifth largest natural harbour. During the Second World War the Harbour became the base for the combined East Asian Fleet of the Allied Powers.

For beach addicts, it is the ideal beach resort between April and November when the sea is at its best. Located at the mouth of Sri Lanka's longest river the Mahaweli Ganga, Trincomalee's most famous landmark is Fort Fedrick , a centaury and a half of British fortifications can be found here. The cliff known as Swami Rock on the tip of Fort Federick promontory is associated with a tragic romantic tale woven around a Dutch maiden who is believed to have jumped to her death from this spot after seeing her fickle lover sailing away.

The Thirukoneswaram Kovil, which stands on the top most pinnacle of the Swamy Rock, is a high venerated Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The world's most famous and beautiful beach on the East Coast is Nilaveli, Beach situated at the centre of the 30 km strand of beach which runs uninterrupted from the north to Trincomalee. Close to Nilaveli is Red Rock Beach - an estuary perch and pinkish colour boulder. A shot boat - ride of the beach and you may also visit the Pigeon Island.

The park measures to approx. 37,762 hectares and is said to be quite similar to the Flood Plain National Park that is located in the south. The north of the park is dominated by dry evergreen forest, while to the south lays the sizeable flood plains. Aside from elephants who can be observed feeding on the mainly water tolerant grass species and aquatic plants growing on the plains, leopards, water buffalo, sambhur, the fishing cat and the rusty spotted cat may also be seen while the flood plains are idyllic for many species of aquatic and raptor birds.

Located in the eastern part of Sri Lanka, Galoya a wonderful ecological site and a National Park which centers around the Senanayaka Samudra Reservoir one of the largest inland body of water in Sri Lanka. Galoya is also popular for bird watching, nature expeditions and elephant sightings. Galoya also consists of several archaeological sites with ancient ruins.

Formally a land occupied by the local Veddhas, it was discovered in March 1991. The area comes under the Anuradhapura region. The forest has marble stones and indigenous flora and fauna. A rare sight to see is the systematic positioning of the trees. Historically it was used as a hiding place for an ancient Sri Lankan king.

Situated in the cool hill country, approx. 7200 feet above sea level, it is placed in central Sri Lanka in the Badulla District. Filled with an abundance of varied flora and fauna, it serves as an ideal camping site. Many of Sri Lanka’s rivers flow from this place of location.

Situated in the Eastern Province, the Gal Oya National Park is vital to the farmers and agricultural developments as it aids in supplying water to the Eastern Region’s irrigation network. The park also has varied animals such as the leopards, bears, spotted deer, elk, monkeys, elephants and wild boar. Butterflies and birds can also be seen here.

Famous for elephant habitant and for world famous ancient ruins, the Wasgamuwa National Park is situated in the Districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa. This substantial national park stretches up to a remarkable 36,948 hectares. Initially Wasgamuwa was affirmed to be a strict nature reserve in 1938 but then it was altered and declared into a National Park in 1984. The park lies within the Central and Northern Central Provinces. Rainfall is generally by the northeast monsoon (December to February) and inter-monsoonal rains. The park consists of Riverina forest, dry mixed evergreen forest, grasslands and wetlands and is almost surrounded by the Mahaweli and Amban Rivers.

Wasgamuwa is famous as an elephant habitat. These elephants are known to be less habituated to people and are more wildish. Apart from the elephant, the leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted and barking deer, wild boar and wild buffalo are also found here. Torque macaque, purple face leaf monkey and nocturnal slender loris are also found in the park. Lesser adjutant, wooly necked stork, open bill, painted stork, racket tailed drongo, yellow fronted barbet, jungle fowl and spurfowl are among the over 100 species of birds found within the park.

There is historical evidence to that, this area had been inhabited by man during the ancient Sinhala kingdoms in BC. The giant canal of kalinga (Kalinga Yodha Ela) was built by King Parakramabahu in the 12th Century while the remains of Malagamuwa, Wilmitiya, Wasgamuwa and Dasthota Tanks bear witness to the past prosperity of the area. The Kalinga Island (Kalinga Duwa) is an interesting place to visit. Kadurupitiya, Dagoda, Baduruwayaya Buddha Statue, Malagamuwa stone pillars and other ruins also bear witness to the past glory of the area

Home to a large company of elephants, the park is popular for easy sightings of elephants. The Yodha Reservoir is located inside the park and provides water to the area.

Placed between Galle and Matara in the Southern Region, the rainforest is full of picturesque sights and adventurous nature trails. Small rivers and brooks flow inside and rare trees could also be found here.