Madhu Road National Park

Lore & Background

The Madhu Road area was first declared a sanctuary on 28 June 1968 under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of 1937, covering 26,677 hectares. After the Sri Lankan Civil War, the government announced plans to convert several northern sanctuaries into national parks. The sanctuary faced threats from illegal sand excavation, tree felling, and unplanned government development. An Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment published in October 2014, produced with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Environment Programme, recommended upgrading the sanctuary to a national park and expanding it to 63,067 hectares by absorbing nearby state-owned forests. The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu would be located within the park boundaries.

Reader's Guide

Madhu Road National Park represents a significant post-war conservation effort in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. Its creation in June 2015, alongside Adam's Bridge, Chundikkulam, and Delft national parks, marked a shift from sanctuary status to greater protection. The park's expanded area of over 63,000 hectares includes diverse habitats that support a wide range of bird species—over 80 listed in the source—including Alexandrine parakeet, Indian peafowl, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, and white-bellied sea eagle. Mammals recorded include Asian elephant, leopard, water buffalo, and several primate species such as grey langur and purple-faced langur. The inclusion of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, a major Catholic pilgrimage site, within the park adds cultural significance. The park's history also highlights environmental challenges, as the sanctuary had suffered from illegal sand mining, deforestation, and unplanned development before its upgrade.

Did You Know?

• The park's area expanded from 26,677 hectares to 63,067 hectares when it became a national park in June 2015.
• The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu is located inside the national park.
• The park's creation was recommended by an Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment published in October 2014, produced with UN assistance.