Vilpaththu National Park

One o f the main national park situated in the North Central province. Vilpaththu National Park which has been closed for several years owing to the north-east war is now opened. Vilpattu is the biggest national park in Sri Lanka covering around 500 sq. miles. Around thirty sand-rimmed freshwater lakes surrounded by grass and high forest are where the animals and birds are best seen.

There are many Villu and lakes at Vilpaththu. This is identified as the main topographical feature of the Park. They are often flat and basin like while containing purely rain water. Vilpaththu national park is the oldest and perhaps the most important protected area in Sri Lanka . It’s fauna and flora are representative of the dry lowland zone. It is unfortunate that many species living in the park are threatened species
The location...
The park is located 30km west of Anuradhapura and spans the border between the North Central and North Western Province. It is bordered by the Modaragam aru in the south the Kala Oya in the north and is bordered by the Indian ocean in the west. The Wilpattu National Park is the largest national park in the area with an acreage of 131, 693 hectares. It is situated ranging from sea level to 152 metres above it.
Bird Watching
Kumbukwila and Nelunwila in particular are a bird watchers' paradise. In the middle of the lakes are painted stork, grey heron, cormorants and darters, while lapwing, plover and blue coot rummage among the reeds nearer the edge. Duck godwit and sandpipers are winter visitors from October to April.
On the top-most branches of the trees in the forest are hornbills who attract a lot of attention because of their comical looks and loud metallic voices. Comical they may look but strict husbands they are, locking their mates within clay walls in their hollow tree trunk nests until the eggs are hatched and the young ready to fly.
FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT=" Wild Animals
Pig, bear, deer are common animal here while it is also home to a large population of leopards. Elephants are less frequent preferring the Pomparippu plain and the open areas around the Kala-oya.
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