Wasgamuwa National Park

Wasgamuwa National Park stands unique among most of the national parks in Sri Lanka. It is the only national park in the Central Province where one could see elephants in their natural habitats.

Bounded by the rivers Mahaweli from the eastern boundary, Amban from the western and northern boundaries, Wasgamuwa National Park provides diverse micro habitats for fauna and flora. This national park lies in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa.

Part of Wasgamuwa Park was declared as a Strict Natural Reserve in 1938 and the adjoining section was declared as an Intermediate Zone in 1945.

Clearing of vast stretches of forest, with the accelerated Mahaweli Development Project deprived wildlife of its homeland and restricted it to this panoramic stretch of land. Consequently, the said two areas, along with some additional land was brought together into one unit and was declared as Wasgamuwa National Park in 1984, mainly for the purpose of biodiversity conservation.

Historical significance
There is historical evidence that this area had been inhabited by man during the ancient Sihala kingdom in BC. The Giant Canal of Kalinga (Kalinga Yodha Ela) built in the reign of King Parakramabahu in the 12th Century, and the remains of Malagamuwa, Wilmitiya, Wasgamuwa and Dasthota tanks bear witness to the past prosperity of the area. Kalinga Island (Kalinga Duwa) too is an interesting place to visit.

Kadurupitiya Dagaba, Buduruwayaya Buddha statue, Malagamuwa stone pillars and other ruins also bear witness to the past glory of the area.

Yadanganapitiya where the armies camped during the battle of kings Dutugemunu and Elara, is yet another place of historical importance within the Wasgamuwa National Park.

Access to Wasgamuwa
Turn off at Hasalaka on the Kandy Mahiyangana road up to Wasgamuwa. Visitors from Matale and Polonnaruwa areas can reach Wasgamuwa via Laggala and Wilgamuwa. The Wilgamuwa Japan bridge provides easy access to
visitors coming from the Mahaweli System C.