Destination

Is 67 square miles (17,351 hectares) in extent This Park is along the Mahawela River passing through Polonnaruwa and is connected to Somawathie Chaittiya National Park. This was declared as a National Park in 1984. As the name denotes this is the only National Park in the Flood Plains of the Mahawela River where there is a different bio-diversity not found in any other area of the country. Sub-species of the Sri Lanka Elephant (Elephas Maximus Maximus) identified as Vil Aliya- Marsh Elephant (Elephas Maximus Vil Aliya) is found adapted to the marsh environment. There are large number of Marsh and Villus that goes under water during the rainy season and will retain the water during the dry season. Large number of aquatic birds and birds of prey are found in the area