Yala which is found in the Southeast region of the country is home to the country’s second largest and most visited National Park. The Yala National Park which is also known as the Ruhuna National Park is best known for its variety of wildlife with the conservation of elephants and birds being high on its agenda.

Yala houses 215 species of bird including 6 species of common birds.

The National Park consists of wet monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, thorn forests and grasslands. The forest area is restricted to around the borders of the Menik river while the rangelands are found towards the coast.

The Park was declared to safeguard and make refuge for the displaced animals during the Mahaweli Development Project and was also one of the four National Parks that was created under the above.

While being an important bird sanctuary the Park is well known for its herds of elephants that can be seen roaming about the area. 23 species of mammals can be found in the area. Around 150 elephants can be discovered while in addition, 143 species of bird reside at Wasgamuwa.

The Park was designed to protect the catchments of five reservoirs developed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme. It is situated in the districts of Ampara, Badulla and Polonnaruwa.

The easiest way to proceed to the area from Colombo is via Kurunegala, Dambulla, Habarana, Polonnaruwa and Manamitiya. The distance from the business capital of Colombo is approximately 265 km.

The Park is an important hub for numerous species of wildlife which include common species, endangered species of mammals, reptiles and fish.