Somawathiya National Park
Sanctuary of the Sacred Stupa
Sanctuary of the Sacred Stupa
Somawathiya National Park is one of the four national parks designated under the Mahaweli River development project. Somawathiya Chaitya, a stupa said to be containing a relic of the tooth of the Buddha, is situated within the park. The park was created on 2 September 1986, having been originally designated a wildlife sanctuary on 9 August 1966.
The park is home to many megaherbivores with elephants estimated at 400 within the protected area and rich avifauna. Other notable mammalian species include jackals, fishing cats, rusty-spotted cats, leopards, wild boar, sambar, water buffalo, porcupines, and black-naped hares.
in Somawathiya National Park
Large elephant herds roaming freely on the beautiful grasslands of the park.
Leopards resting on rock mountains and trees can be spotted here.
Majestic elephants and their calves that can be observed within the park.
