Lahugala Kitulana National Park

Lahugala Kitulana National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Sri Lanka. Despite its land area, the park is an important habitat for Sri Lankan Elephant and endemic birds of Sri Lanka. The national park contains the reservoirs of Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa and ultimately empties to Heda Oya River. It was designated as a wildlife sanctuary on July 1st 1966 and then the protected area was upgraded to a national park on October 31st 1980. Lahugala Kitulana is situated 318 kms east of Colombo.

The annual rainfall of the area is about 1,650 millimeters. Northeast monsoon continues during the months November to December and the two dry periods last from May to October and January to March. The terrain of the park is flat with occasional rocky outcrops. Nearby is Magul Maha Vihara built for the occasion of the marriage of King Kavantissa to Princess Viharamahadevi. Later the Vihara is believed to be offered to the Sangha community. The national park’s vegetation is classified into Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests. Dominant grass species Sacciolepis interrupta is a main food source for elephants.

This national park is used by elephants traditionally as a feeding ground. A herd of 150 is attracted by Sacciolepis interrupta grass which is common around the Lahugala tank. Endemic Toque Macaque, Tufted Gray Languor, Sloth Bear, Golden Jackal, Rusty-spotted Cat, Fishing Cat, Sri Lanka Leopard, Wild Boar, Indian Muntjac, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Indian Pangolin and Indian Hare are the other mammals found in the park. Many wetland birds found in Lahugala Kitulana include Great White Pelican, purple heron, Painted Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Anas spp., White-bellied Sea Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Common Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, and White-throated Kingfisher. Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Openbill and Woolly-necked Stork are also recorded visiting the wetland. Last recorded sighting of Knob-billed Duck, now thought be extinct in Sri Lanka, occurred here. Red-faced Malkoha and Sri Lanka Spur Fowl are two endemic birds that occur in the park.

The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society has initiated a project to establish an electric fence to protect four villages near the southern boundary of the park. Poaching, logging, fuel wood collection, grazing are the prominent threats to the park.

Other National Parks

Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Minneriya National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Kumana National Park, Bundala National Park, Kaudulla National Park, Gal Oya National Park, Kalawewa National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Pigeon Island National Park, Hurulu Eco Park, Lahugala Kitulana National Park, Maduru Oya National Park