Kumana National Park
A Sri Lankan national park famed for migratory bird flocks.
Kumana National Park is a protected area in southeastern Sri Lanka, renowned for its avifauna, particularly large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds. Located 391 kilometers southeast of Colombo on the southeastern coast, it is contiguous with Yala National Park and was formerly known as Yala East National Park before being renamed in 2006. The park was closed from 1985 to March 2003 due to LTTE attacks and was also affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.
Quick Facts
- Iucn Category
- II
- Location
- Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
- Nearest City
- Hambantota
- Area
- 35,664 ha
- Established
- 20 January 1970
- Governing Body
- Department of Wildlife Conservation
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Kumana National Park lies on Sri Lanka's southeastern coast, with the Kumbukkan Oya forming its southern boundary. Its landscape includes some 20 lagoons and tanks, shallow lagoons less than 2 meters deep, and the Kumana villu, which is subject to occasional seawater inundation. The park's wetland areas are surrounded by dry zone tropical thorn forest, with dominant trees such as Manilkara hexandra, Hemicyclea sepieria, and Sonneratia caseolaris in the villu. The riverine forests along the Kumbukkan Oya are dominated by Terminalia arjuna.
Reader's Guide
Kumana National Park is significant as one of the most important bird nesting and breeding grounds in Sri Lanka, with 255 bird species recorded. From April to July, tens of thousands of birds migrate to the Kumana swamp area, including rare breeding inhabitants like the black-necked stork, lesser adjutant, Eurasian spoonbill, and great thick-knee. Waders such as pintail snipes migrate from Siberia, traveling 9,000 to 11,000 kilometers. The park also hosts mammals like the Sri Lankan elephant (estimated 30–40 individuals), golden jackal, and fishing cat, as well as reptiles like the mugger crocodile. The area has cultural significance as part of an ancient civilization dating to the 3rd century BC, with rock inscriptions from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, and lies on the route of the annual foot pilgrimage to the Hindu temple at Kataragama. Recent concerns have been raised over a planned road from Kirinda to Panama along the park's coastline, as bird numbers have fallen.
Did You Know?
- Pintail snipes migrate to Kumana from Siberia, flying 9,000 to 11,000 kilometers.
- The park lies on the route of the traditional annual foot pilgrimage to the Hindu temple at Kataragama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kumana National Park located in Sri Lanka?
It sits on the southeastern coast of the island, roughly 391 kilometers southeast of Colombo. The park shares a continuous protected landscape with neighboring Yala National Park.
What is Kumana National Park best known for?
The park is celebrated above all for its spectacular concentrations of migratory waterfowl and wading birds that gather in large flocks. Its coastal wetland habitats make it one of Sri Lanka's premier birdwatching destinations.
Why was Kumana National Park closed to visitors for nearly two decades?
The park was shut from 1985 until March 2003 because of attacks by the LTTE. After its eventual reopening, the area also suffered damage from the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
What was Kumana National Park called before 2006?
It operated under the name Yala East National Park until it received its current designation in 2006. The site had actually been protected as a bird sanctuary as far back as 1938.
What are the climate and elevation conditions at Kumana National Park?
Elevation ranges from sea level up to about 90 meters, and the mean annual temperature hovers around 27.3 °C. The park receives roughly 1,300 millimeters of rainfall each year.
More in National parks of Sri Lanka 1-24
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