Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka

Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka

The theme of wildlife conservation has been an ancient concept in Sri Lanka. It was considered noble in keeping with the teachings of Gouthama Buddha and later essential to the Island.

"...... ordering by beat of drum that no animals should be killed within a radius of seven gau from the city (Anuradhapura) the King gave security to animals. He gave security also to the fish in the twelve great tanks and bestowing on Kambodin-gold and cloth and whatever other kind of wealth they wished, he commanded them not to catch birds and so gave security to birds." Royal decree of King Kirthi Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa (2nd Century AD) Stone inscription at Ruwanveli Dagaba, Anuradhapura.

Sri Lanka, because of her diverse physical environmental and tropical situation, harbours rich biological diversity of global significance far larger in proportion to her size. While her cultural traditions have always enshrined the concern for all life, the Island has nearly fourteen per cent of her land area earmarked for the conservation of biodiversity and wildlife. Of the fourteen per cent, twelve per cent are Protected Areas under the Department of Wildlife Conservation. This stands out in comparison with most other countries in South Asia Region.

Sri Lanka's Wildlife Conservation

See list below for statistics on the numbered locations.

 

Protected Areas of Sri Lanka
Protected areas shown on the map

 

National Parks
Map #	Name of Protected Area	Land Area in Hectares	Established
1	Wilpattu National Park	131,693.9	02.25.1938
2	Somawathiya Chaitiya National Park	37,762.2	09.02.1986
3	Floodplains National Park	17,350.4	08.07.1984
4	Wasgomuwa National Park	36,948.0	08.07.1984
5	Maduru Oya National Park	58,849.8	11.09.1983
6	Gal Oya National Park	25,900.0	02.12.1954
7	Lahugala Kitulana National Park	1,554.0	10.31.1980
8	Horton Plains National Parks	3,159.8	03.16.1988
9	Kumana (Yala East) National Park	18,148.2	01.02.1970
10	Yala (Ruhuna) National Park	103,882.9	02.25.1938
11	Uda Walawe National Park	30,821.0	06.30.1972
Sanctuaries and Reserves
12	Chundikullam Sanctuary	11,149.5	02.25.1938
13	Kokilai Sanctuary	The whole lagoon	05.18.1951
14	Madhu Sanctuary	26,677.0	06.28.1968
15	Padaviya Sanctuary	6,475.0	06.21.1963
16	Yoda Weva Sanctuary	4,330.3	09.24.1954
17	Sober Islands Sanctuary	71.0	06.21.1963
18	Naval Headworks Sanctuary	18,130.0	06.21.1963
19	Anuradhapura Sanctuary	3,500.7	05.27.1938
20	Mihintale Sanctuary	999.6	05.27.1938
21	Seruwavila Sanctuary	15,540.0	10.09.1970
22	Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve	1,528.1	11.07.1941
23	Minneriya-Giritale Sanctuary	7,529.1	02.12.1988
24	Sigiriya Sanctuary	5,099.2	01.26.1990
25	Polonnaruwa Sanctuary	1,521.7	05.27.1938
26	Kegalle Kurulu-Kelle Sanctuary	113.3	03.14.1941
27	Kandy Uda-Watte Kelle Sanctuary	104.0	07.29.1938
28	Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe Sanctuary	42,088.8	01.30.1987
29	Peak Wilderness (Samanala) Sanctuary	22,379.9	10.25.1940
30	Sinharaja Rainforest Sanctuary*
31	Wirawila-Tissa Sanctuary	4,164.4	05.27.1938
32	Bundala Sanctuary	6,216.0	12.05.1969
33	Bellanvila-Attidiya Sanctuary	372.0	07.25.1990
34	Yala Strict Nature Reserve	28,905.7	03.01.1938
Other Protected Areas not shown on the map
35	Hakkgala Strict Nature Reserve	1,141.6	02.25.1938
36	Tricona-Madu	25,019.4	10.24.1986
37	Wilpattu North	632.0	11.07.1947
38	Thel-Watte	1,424.5	02.25.1938
39	Katagamuwa	1,003.7	05.27.1938
40	Gallways Land	56.7	05.27.1938
41	Thanga-Malley	131.5	05.27.1938
42	Rocky Islands (Ambalangoda)	1.2	10.25.1940
43	Kataragama	837.7	05.27.1938
44	Palle-Malala	13.8	10.23.1942
45	Wel-Hella Katagilla	134.4	02.18.1949
46	Senanayake Samudra	2,324.0	02.12.1954
47	Gal-Oya East	12,432.0	02.12.1954
48	Gal-Oya South East	15,281.0	02.12.1954
49	Vauwni-Kulam	4,856.3	06.21.1963
50	Sagamam	616.5	06.21.1963
51	Padawiya Tank	6,475.0	06.21.1963
52	Kimbulwana Oya	492.1	06.21.1963
53	Maha Kandarawa Tank	400 yards around the tank	12.09.1966
54	Seruwila-Allai	15,540.0	10.09.1970
55	Ma Indul Kande-Nittambuwa	23.5	10.31.1972
56	Paraithivu Island	97.1	05.18.1973
57	Kudumbi-Gala	4,403.0	09.28.1973
58	Horagolla.	13.4	10.05.1973
59	Honduwa Island	8.5	11.19.1973
60	Bundangala	1,841.4	11.01.1974
61	Pigeon Island	4.6	11.01.1974
62	Ravana-Ella	1,932.0	05.18.1979
63	Hikkaduwa Coral Reef	44.5	05.18.1979
64	Sri Jayawardene Pura	449.2	01.09.1985
65	Kahala-Palle Kelle	21,690.0	07.11.1989
66	Parapuduwa Meheni Island	189.6	08.17.1988
67	Kalametiya Lagoon	712.3	06.28.1984